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by pltm
(PLTM) - Residents will tune into the House of Assembly tomorrow, anxiously awaiting the contributions from other government members, after last Thursday's abrupt end to day 1 of the 2017 budget debate. Government back-benchers, Hon. Delores Christopher, Fifth District Representative and Hon. Alvera Maduro-Caines, Sixth District Representative, both delivered stinging criticisms of the proposed TB Lettsome International Airport expansion project last week. There are growing concerns over the proposed $153.5M airport expansion project and the fact that government has chosen a Chinese firm as the preferred bidder. Interestingly, last week’s stinging criticisms of the project occurred in the absence of Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour, Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering, who is responsible for the airport. Dr. Pickering was absent from Thursday's sitting as he was away on official government business. However, he is expected to be in the House of Assembly when the budget debate resumes tomorrow. After Hon. Christopher's and Caines' surprised sharp comments, Speaker of the House, Hon. Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe asked whether there were anymore contributions to the debate, and with no answer, she took a short recess. Upon return before 5:00 pm, the Speaker announced that the sitting will continue on Tuesday, February 28. Premier Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith, who fully backs the project, was present at Thursday's sitting. Meanwhile, other government members slated to speak are Hon. Myron Walwyn, Minister of Education and Culture, Hon. Ronnie Skelton, Minister of Health and Social Development, Hon. Dr. Pickering, Hon. Mark Vanterpool, Minister of Communications and Works, Hon. Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull, Second District Representative, Hon. Archibald Christian, Junior Minister of Tourism, and Hon. Marlon Penn, Junior Minister of Trade and Investment. Only Opposition Leader, Hon. Andrew Fahie has to speak from the opposition side, and Premier Smith will wrap up the debate with comments. Those against the project believe that it is a good project, but the timing is bad, given the poor financial standing of the Territory. However, Dr. Pickering has stated that, "As the Minister of Labour, I am concerned that the failure to complete this project will have a negative impact on the livelihoods of the people of the Territory."
