Lawmakers will debate legislation that would add another year to Virgin Islands public education during their next sitting scheduled to start Friday, according to an order paper released Tuesday morning.
In addition to the additional school year, the Education Act Amendment would also allow for electronic recordkeeping, approved home school programmes, and school management committees, according to a draft Gazetted May 1.
Lawmakers are also set to introduce a long-awaited Mental Health Act, and to release the Public Accounts Committee’s final report on its investigation into the territory’s cruise pier development.
The opposition-led PAC’s interim report, which was released in April, said the committee found “numerous apparent irregularities and questionable circumstances” surrounding the development. The report also questioned government’s justification for the project’s escalating cost, from an early projected $12 million to the latest estimated $30 million.
First District Representative Andrew Fahie will ask Premier Dr. Orlando Smith 17 questions, including how much government has spent on services from Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the firm tasked with overseeing an overhaul in the territory’s Treasury Department after an audit of government finances in 2011, according to the order paper.
He’ll also ask Dr. Smith for a breakdown of the public debt; for details on spending for government ministers’ travel; and for an update on government’s development plans in Carrot Bay.
Mr. Fahie will ask Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool about spending on projects under his ministry, such as the Georgie Hill project and Crafts Alive. He’ll also ask Mr. Vanterpool about issues in his First District, such as drainage in Cappoons Bay, the Cappoons Bay fire and police stations, and plans for the West End ferry terminal.
Third District Representative Julian Fraser will ask Dr. Smith about the territory’s latest revenue and expenditure figures, and the latest amounts received by government from the Financial Services Commission. Mr. Fraser will also ask to see the United Kingdom’s formal written approval for government’s recent loans from FirstCaribbean International Bank, and he’ll ask Dr. Smith about unpaid contracts dating from before the 2011 election.
Mr. Fraser will ask for details on government’s bids for the cruise pier extension and the landside development.
Documents are also scheduled to be laid on the table at the HOA meeting, including the list of 2011 Acts and Statutory Instruments and Imperial Legislation, and the HIV-AIDS Foundation’s 2012 annual report.
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