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The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government will head into elections launching major projects it will not finish, leaving an incoming National Democratic Party (NDP) administration to complete them, NDP Deputy Chairman Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has charged.
Speaking on the NDP radio programme on Wednesday evening, October 28, the Second District Representative punched holes in the $559.1 million Budget presented by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley on Tuesday, October 27.
Turnbull questioned how the Government could deliver approximately $81 million in capital projects when, by his assessment, its recent record showed the VIP government could not execute capital projects of roughly $27 million, which he rounded to $30 million.
He pointed to plans for four schools, a detention centre, completion of the administration complex and Department of Disaster Management building, alongside road and water infrastructure.
With elections constitutionally due in mid-July 2027, he argued that the programme did not match either the time available or the Government’s ability to execute.
“So now you have committed $81 million in capital projects for this fiscal year when you know in fact that you only have just about six or eight months before you have to call election. So it's not realistic, it's not practical,” Turnbull stated.
He predicted a familiar pattern of unfinished work as the Government moves into election mode.
“I believe … we will see in the BVI … a lot of projects starting, which is indicative of how this government operates, but nothing will be brought to completion. It will take a National Democratic Party government to come in and finish the things.”
Turnbull also challenged the finances underpinning the spending plans. He highlighted projected revenue of $457,809,000 against current expenditure of $460,412,600, a gap of approximately $2.6 million.
Beyond construction costs, he questioned how the Territory would afford staffing, maintenance and upkeep without new revenue streams.
Even if the Government delivered the full capital programme, he warned, those continuing obligations could place the Territory under serious financial strain.
"...With no new revenue streams, you will bring this country to its knees financially..."
“What is the economic studies?” he asked, arguing that the announcements lacked a clear explanation of how the projects would be sustained and address residents’ needs.
Speaking on the NDP radio programme on Wednesday evening, October 28, the Second District Representative punched holes in the $559.1 million Budget presented by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley on Tuesday, October 27.
Turnbull questioned how the Government could deliver approximately $81 million in capital projects when, by his assessment, its recent record showed the VIP government could not execute capital projects of roughly $27 million, which he rounded to $30 million.
He pointed to plans for four schools, a detention centre, completion of the administration complex and Department of Disaster Management building, alongside road and water infrastructure.
With elections constitutionally due in mid-July 2027, he argued that the programme did not match either the time available or the Government’s ability to execute.
“So now you have committed $81 million in capital projects for this fiscal year when you know in fact that you only have just about six or eight months before you have to call election. So it's not realistic, it's not practical,” Turnbull stated.
He predicted a familiar pattern of unfinished work as the Government moves into election mode.
“I believe … we will see in the BVI … a lot of projects starting, which is indicative of how this government operates, but nothing will be brought to completion. It will take a National Democratic Party government to come in and finish the things.”
Turnbull also challenged the finances underpinning the spending plans. He highlighted projected revenue of $457,809,000 against current expenditure of $460,412,600, a gap of approximately $2.6 million.
Beyond construction costs, he questioned how the Territory would afford staffing, maintenance and upkeep without new revenue streams.
Even if the Government delivered the full capital programme, he warned, those continuing obligations could place the Territory under serious financial strain.
"...With no new revenue streams, you will bring this country to its knees financially..."
“What is the economic studies?” he asked, arguing that the announcements lacked a clear explanation of how the projects would be sustained and address residents’ needs.
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