Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government is being asked to publicly provide the estimated cost and proposed method of financing for the expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and the cruise ship pier development projects.

When the House of Assembly resumes tomorrow, October 9, Government Ministers including Premier and Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. Orlando Smith will be grilled by members of the Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) on several matters including the economy.

Hon. Julian Fraser, Third District Representative will be posing the question in relation to the two projects to Premier Smith.

Hon. Fraser will also ask the Premier what specific measures his administration has to fix the current economic crisis facing the Territory to ensure that it does not reoccur, at least in the short term; and to provide figures as it relates to the current state of Government's finances. He will also ask the Premier to provide information on the current rate of inflation and unemployment in the Territory.

Hon. Andrew Fahie, First District Representative will also pose several questions to the Premier about the outstanding contracts for the design and construction works of the Hospital Expansion project; and when the Post Office in Carrot Bay would be functional.

Hon. Mark Vanterpool, Communications and Works Minister will be asked to give an update on the status of the proposed Sopher's Hole Jetty Modernisation Project in the First District, inclusive of projected dates of commencement for each phase; and to provide a detailed status report, inclusive of contract values, for each of the two contracts signed in September 2006 between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Global Water Associates.

Hon. Ronnie Skelton, Health and Social Development Minister and Minister Vanterpool will be asked by Hon. Fraser to inform the House about the persons hired by their Ministry under consultancy contracts to perform as employees outside the ambit of the Public Service Commission; and the terms and conditions of their contract.

Hon. Fraser will ask Minister Skelton whether the windows on the Hospital Project were in fact removed and replaced to meet specification.

"If the answer is yes, how much did it cost, who paid for it, and does that mean that the warranty is now issued? And If the answer is no, then who is liable, and does that mean that the Government is prepared to risk housing sick people in a hospital that is equipped with windows not installed to specification," he will ask Minister Skelton tomorrow.

The Health Minister will be asked to provide members with the size of the Social Security Board's Pension Fund as of today; and the size of the Government's debt to the board.

Both the Premier and Minister Vanterpool will be asked numerous questions surrounding the BiWater agreement.

There will also be a number of questions for Hon. Myron Walwyn, Minister for Education and Culture which will be posed by Hon. Fraser.

Meanwhile, there will be the debate of the much anticipated proposed Public Finance Management (Amendment) Act, 2012.

The "Mutual Legal Assistance (Tax Matters) (Amendment) Act, 2012"; "Partnership (Amendment) Act, 2012; "Securities and Investment Business (Amendment) Act, 2012"; and "Non-Profit Organisations Act, 2012" are also expected to be debated at tomorrow´s sitting.