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by pltm
(PLTM) - There is a practice among members of Government of using public funds to somewhat bribe voters. This is according to former Government Minister under the National Democratic Party (NDP) and now Chairman of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), Hon. Ronnie Skelton, who admitted to participating in such acts, which he said contribute to a waste of public funds.
However, during a previous forum, he had denied such.
During a public address on Sunday, January 13 at Brewer’s Bay, Hon. Skelton stated, “We must stop as elected officials...believe that we can use public funds to get us elected year after year to give it out as largess. It needs to stop.”
These allegations are being made in the face of this year's General Election, which is due by April, and the ongoing campaign period.
He went on to say, “Every four years, elected officials…all of us, all 13 of us; I gave mine to the old people…We spend about $1.5 million every year just giving it out willy-nilly for people to go on cruise, for people to keep parties…all sorts of stuff. We cannot afford it…and we must stop it.”
Despite his admission that he was one of the persons who participated in this practice, Hon. Skelton sought to assure voters that under his administration, such wastage would be eradicated in the BVI.
“We’re going to cut waste in Government. There is at least a $20 million wastage in Government. Somebody might argue and say it’s not $20 (million), it’s only $18 (million) or $15 (million). So we will cut waste in Government,” he told those gathered.
“If we cut Government waste and corruption wherever it is, when we are elected, corruption will not go unpunished in this country,” he went on to say.
This is not the first time that Hon. Skelton has alluded to such underhanded practices among politicians.
On December 7, at the launch of the PVIM, he insinuated that the practice was occurring, but denied being a part of such.
“I know it’s commonplace in the Virgin Islands that we feel we have to give people envelopes and stuff to vote for us, but I have never practised that. I don’t intend to,” he had declared before his supporters.
