The Virgin Islands’ public debt is up to $141.12 million, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith announced Thursday in the House of Assembly.
The figure includes $105.54 million owed by central government and another $35.58 million owed by statutory bodies like the BVI Electricity Corporation and the BVI Ports Authority.
Total public debt was one of many topics asked about by First District Representative Andrew Fahie during the HOA meeting, which began on Jan. 25.
Dr. Smith also answered a question about the amount government owes in unpaid invoices, which he said totals $13,196,195. He declined to read out the detailed list, saying that it was “just too much.”
Instead, Dr. Smith referred Mr. Fahie to “appendices,” which he said were attached to his written answer.
But Mr. Fahie said that it concerned him that such details weren’t shared aloud.
“These appendices should be included in the verbatim report,” Mr. Fahie said.
Several appendices – including one listing unpaid invoices, another itemising to which ministry advance warrants went, and a breakdown of public debt – were distributed to the press Friday.
Additional appendices have not been released yet, including one listing consultants hired in connection to National Health Insurance and another detailing expenditures and monies owed relating to the Tortola Pier Park.
See the Feb 11, 2016 edition for full coverage.
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