Deputy Premier Smith confident in Premier Wheatley
Hon. Smith was giving contributions during the Seventeenth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) on Friday, August 16, 2024.
“I myself was shocked, outraged, and disappointed to put it mildly when I heard about it. I was present when the Premier expressed his shock [and] his horror. I was present when the Premier himself said to the Governor who is responsible for public service that an investigation must be carried out,” Hon. Smith explained.
She added that should the outcome of the investigation not be what she is expecting, it would mean to her the “quintessential absence of accountability” as senior public servants in the ministries responsible for public service and finance be making these kinds of “grievous mistakes”.
$20M deficit a serious matter but does not call for Premier Wheatley’s resignation
While Hon. Smith admitted that a deficit, in amounts such as the twenty million dollars in compensation for public officers, is a serious matter, it does not call for the actions proposed by Opposition Legislator Myron V. Walwyn (R6).
Hon. Walwyn in his contributions in the HoA, called for Premier Wheatley’s resignation following the revelation that there was such a huge deficit between the budgeted amount for salary increases in the budget passed last year, 2023, and the actual amount needed upon a compensation review in April 2024.
“It is not one I am going to say at any point calls for the action that he proposed but it is a very, very serious matter, and as I have said before we have to deal with it, and we have to deal with it expeditiously… those who are responsible in the ministry responsible for the public service must be held to account,” Hon. Smith said.
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28 Responses to “Deputy Premier Smith confident in Premier Wheatley”
You shouldn't be trying to defend the Premier. His and your duty were to ensured that all figures were in order before passage.of the budget estimate.
The revelation of such a huge amount of cash, in reference to the budget estimate show incompetence of true leadership of especially you both, moreso especially him, our Premier.
This huge discrepancy amount of money cannot be easily swept aside with defenceless words of party association,.
Much help is needed now for the people of the BVI, especially in this time of high rising cost of basic food items.
If he is unable to do this you should not hold the position.
How long ago sloman was aware of this blunder?
Who inform him of it?
Why didn't he call an em.ergency meeting before taking it to H.O.A?
Now he ask the Gov.to investigate did he also
ask for a time frame?The I have Vincent/Sharie/Lorna all were involve when this was passed in house with all agŕeeing months ago.You guys were flying high not taking care of business and to hear Sharie cry out she didn't get enough for her ministry but she will make do,Vincent aint say shit because he aint doing shit in his ministry.I see this Govt.looking to scape goat someone and through them under the BUS
WATCHA WATCHA
spineless
power hungry
money hunger
Hopefully she is exercising some effort behind.the scene to make matters right.
Most definitely there should've have bern prompt ousting and shufflinh of individuals .Her response gives ne pause and I am having secondc thoughts about her effectiveness in thus setting.