‘I have to keep my eyes on Gov’t’ – Hon. Fraser
“I have to keep my eyes on Government because they are doing something that is rather strange. Two sittings ago they had $24M in the reserve fund, I go back the next sitting and it’s up to $27M, they put another three million dollars in there and as you can see, as I stated, they are not paying their debts,” stated Hon. Fraser.
This discourse arose out of a question posed to Hon. Fraser at his community feedback meeting held last Thursday December 5, 2013 at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre. The ever vocal and transparent Third District Representative was asked if he thought Government was holding back on funds with the intention of spending lavishly closer to the next scheduled national elections.
“What are they thinking? Maybe they are thinking that they can touch that money coming up towards elections. I don’t see how they can go in and touch it but strange how things do happen,” he responded.
Hon. Fraser did acknowledge that it is customary for governments to go on a ‘flurry’ of spending at certain periods leading up to elections. “I wouldn’t put it pass them.” He, however, noted that if it is only if the government should follow the protocols they would not be about to touch the reserve fund for wild spending leading up to elections.
Despite what is said to be a respectful saving in the reserved fund, the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government has repeatedly thrown blames at the former ruling party, Virgin Islands Party (VIP), for allegedly leaving the country broke.
In addressing this claim as it was a topical issue raised at the community meeting, Hon. Fraser sought to explain the processes of government spending. He said that a purchase order cannot be raised unless it is released by the Ministry of Finance. “That is for the purchase of anything, especially for a contract …. Any contract that was issued under our administration had a purchase order, the monies were there.”
He said that it was the current administration which upon taking up office shifted priorities. “So the million dollars that was there to put fifteen chairs on the right hand side has been placed on hold… because they were VIP chairs and they go and put a million dollars for fifteen chairs on the left hand side for the same fifteen dollars because they are NDP chairs. So that’s what they are talking about country broke, that’s their definition for being broke,” explained Hon. Fraser.
He also noted that the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith had allegedly told him that the date for the oldest voucher in the treasury of the Virgin Islands is July 2013. “That would indicate to me that all those bills were paid. The last time I asked him (Premier Smith) he told me that the dates were too convoluting, he couldn’t figure out the dates, now he giving me a date so I am going to see if I hear anything more about some outstanding bills,” stated Hon. Fraser.
.png)
Follow Us On
15 Responses to “‘I have to keep my eyes on Gov’t’ – Hon. Fraser”
What about the spending spree of the last government to try to retain power?
Yes. I distinctly remember the news story about Rep. F**** spending government money to air political ads during the last election. Both NDP and VIP must clean up their act.
Ask the Premier where is ALL the money that is being taken out of our salary and not paying the people. When employers take money from their employees pay for Social Security and its not paid they are taken to court but the government doing the same thing. Ask him when last they paid the differnt gyms, insurance, infinite and the list goes on.
Government workers seeing money coming out and when they check the providers they have not been paid. This is stealing. That's why they can say they have so much money. Bragging and not paying their bills..Set of liars.
The claims by Fraser and Fahie need to be investigated fully. Who is the leader of the party? If VIP is presenting itself as the alternative, these issues need to be addressed.
Fraser needs to shut up!!!