During a House of Assembly sitting set to start Tuesday, Opposition Leader Andrew Fahie plans to move for a vote of no confidence in Premier Dr. Orlando Smith’s ability to serve as minister of finance.
In a Tuesday statement, the opposition leader (R-D1) made it clear that he is not calling for a vote of no confidence in government as a whole, or in Dr. Smith’s position as the leader of it: He only takes issue with his role as head of the Ministry of Finance.
“The vote of no confidence is against the minister of finance because he has failed in his duties to protect the public’s purse as mandated in the Constitution, Public Finance Management Act and the Protocols for Effective Financial Management,” Mr. Fahie wrote. “There must be some restoration of our finances and it doesn’t have to wait until the next general elections.”
In support of his motion, Mr. Fahie cited various issues, including the more than $30 million of reported cost overruns at the Tortola Pier Park; government’s $7.2 million contract with BVI Airways that has yet to yield a commercial flight to Miami; and Cabinet’s decision to shift an $8 million loan earmarked for the East End/Long Look Sewerage Project to the TPP without HOA approval.
Premier Dr. Orlando Smith (R-at large) could not immediately be reached for comment regarding the motion.
However, it is not clear if anyone will second the motion to bring it to a vote.
Mr. Fahie’s lone partner in the opposition, Third District Representative Julian Fraser, seemed lukewarm on the idea.
“I don’t understand it,” he said of the motion on Tuesday, though he declined to comment on whether or not he would support it.
SEE THE JULY 27, 2017 EDITION FOR FULL COVERAGE.
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