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Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has accused the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government of dodging questions in the House of Assembly for a year and four months while spending millions of taxpayers’ dollars.
Speaking on Thursday evening’s Ideas - Issues - The Way Forward Podcast, the Eighth District Representative challenged the government to account for borrowing, water contracts and road projects.
“This is not your money. This is the money for taxpayers. We have to pay this money back. Our children have to pay this money back, and you’ll spend it recklessly,” Penn charged.
He said he had again raised the lack of question time during Thursday’s (October 15) House sitting. Opposition members have protested the delays on numerous occasions, but their questions continue to be shifted on the Order Paper.
Similar objections occurred in May and July. On July 21, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley secured approval to move questions behind government business, citing urgent legislation needed to prevent the Recovery and Development Agency’s board from expiring. Penn challenged that justification, arguing that the government had earlier opportunities to act.
Penn said the unanswered questions concern substantial public spending, including what he described as the territory’s largest loan and millions in water contracts awarded without competitive tendering.
He singled out the Hodge’s Creek road project, alleging it was more than $1 million over budget while waterline and drainage problems remained unresolved. He further claimed Public Works officers had warned that drawings were incomplete and failing pipes needed attention before construction.
Penn also pointed to roadworks between Sea Cows Bay and West End, saying the business belonging to the late Billy Winter’s family was flooding whenever it drizzled, without support.
“They have dodged and shirked their responsibility to the people,” he said.
With an election constitutionally due in about nine months, Penn pledged to pursue other avenues to expose how public resources were being managed.
Speaking on Thursday evening’s Ideas - Issues - The Way Forward Podcast, the Eighth District Representative challenged the government to account for borrowing, water contracts and road projects.
“This is not your money. This is the money for taxpayers. We have to pay this money back. Our children have to pay this money back, and you’ll spend it recklessly,” Penn charged.
He said he had again raised the lack of question time during Thursday’s (October 15) House sitting. Opposition members have protested the delays on numerous occasions, but their questions continue to be shifted on the Order Paper.
Similar objections occurred in May and July. On July 21, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley secured approval to move questions behind government business, citing urgent legislation needed to prevent the Recovery and Development Agency’s board from expiring. Penn challenged that justification, arguing that the government had earlier opportunities to act.
Penn said the unanswered questions concern substantial public spending, including what he described as the territory’s largest loan and millions in water contracts awarded without competitive tendering.
He singled out the Hodge’s Creek road project, alleging it was more than $1 million over budget while waterline and drainage problems remained unresolved. He further claimed Public Works officers had warned that drawings were incomplete and failing pipes needed attention before construction.
Penn also pointed to roadworks between Sea Cows Bay and West End, saying the business belonging to the late Billy Winter’s family was flooding whenever it drizzled, without support.
“They have dodged and shirked their responsibility to the people,” he said.
With an election constitutionally due in about nine months, Penn pledged to pursue other avenues to expose how public resources were being managed.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
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