Four government ministers got questions from opposition members during a House of Assembly sitting this morning about government projects and programmes ranging from ongoing developments such as the New Peebles Hospital to fiscal details like the territory’s gross domestic product.
After their lunch break, lawmakers introduced a Disaster Management Act, which has been in the works since at least 2010, when local and regional disaster management officials held consultations about the legislation.
They also began debating an amendment to the Public Finance Management Act, which was called for by the Protocols for Effective Financial Management, the agreement signed by Virgin Islands and United Kingdom officials in April. The protocols intended the agreement to be enacted by August.
Premier Dr. Orlando Smith, who is also the minister of finance, said the amendments will bring the territory in line with the protocols as well as with internationally accepted standards for public accounts. It will also create an economic advisory council and require medium-term financial planning, he said.
See the October 12, 2012 edition for full coverage.
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