Money Not There To Fix Things

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Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - The government has been forced to slash in half, money allocated for works in the districts, and this is not sitting well with government District Representatives who are back-benchers.

During the budget debate, two District Representatives complained about the move and pondered how they will get things done in their districts for the people.

At Thursday's sitting, February 23, Hon. Alvera Maduro-Caines, Sixth District Representative disclosed that under Communications and Works, the annual budgetary allocation of $200,000 for civil works in the districts has been reduced to $100,000.

"This, I am having a problem with and hoping that we can get this changed back in committee stage. This is the money that is allocated for us to do a little to help persons in the district---a road where they will not be able to get to their houses, a wall, bush cutting exercises," she lamented.

Caines added, "And I am turning in my head, how will I manage with $100,000 to do all of these things that were lined up this year. I am hoping that when we go into committee stage, the Premier (Hon. Dr. Orlando Smith) will find a way to put back this $100,000 so that we will be able to help our people more in our district."

Meanwhile, Fifth District Representative, Hon. Delores Christopher complained that there are a number of issues in her district and when things go wrong, persons don't call the Minister, they call her.

She too believes that the $100,000 will not help to fix issues from sewerage, poor lighting on the roadways, water woes, dilapidated roads and need for sidewalks, among several other issues.

"These things must be addressed and the $100,000 that we have there earmarked for district...cannot meet all those needs, and maybe the money is somewhere…We got the final draft, so maybe the funds are somewhere; maybe they are there and I just didn’t see it," she sarcastically stated.

Hon. Christopher told the House of Assembly that the issues facing her district are not minor.

"I am not too good on figures, but I know it cannot work…So we have all sorts of situations...I know the Premier would tell us that there is always going to be a need, but some of these things as we go forward we just hope that they will be addressed bit by bit."

From the comments made, a number of areas in the Fifth District are without water. However, Hon. Christoper said that the Permanent Secretary in the Communications and Works Ministry, Mr. Anthony McMaster has promised that they will be getting a pump to address the issue.

"...A particular neighborhood in upper Huntums Ghut where a few residents were disconnected…It was disconnected because the (Water) Department said too much strain on the one (pump) they had…These people are still without water supply because a pump is needed."

The Fifth District Representative further commented on the promise made by the PS.

"Well the good news is that we were told in Standing Finance Committee that some equipment has been ordered...We expect to get it by April; don’t know if it's this April or next April."

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