Question 1

Madam Speaker, could the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance please give this Honourable House a detail breakdown on how the monies were spent for the nonstop concert held shortly before the emancipation festival activities?

Answer 1

Madam Speaker, the Non Stop Concert was held at the Festival Grounds on 30^th June, 2023.  The event featured various artists and the categories of the various expenses ranged from direct payments to the performers, accommodation costs, stage, sound and lighting, transportation and related expenses.  The total amount expended on the concert was $255,089.66 and is broken down as follow:

Madam Speaker, while the Member only requested information on monies spent, I wish to note that a total of Forty Five Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Three Dollars ($45,153) were earned in revenue, broken down as follow:

Vendors’ Fees                     $     800

Sponsorships                     $  8,000

Bar and VIP                          $36,353

Question 2

Madam Speaker, could the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance please provide a detail breakdown of expenditure and receivables for all three (3) festivals for 2022 and 2023 inclusive of any reports preliminary or final? 

Answer 2

2022

Madam Speaker, I report on the combined financial performance of the three festivals held at Road Town, Virgin Gorda and Carrot Bay for the year 2022.  Members may recall that the events related to last year’s celebrations were reduced as the Territory and the world were coming out of COVID-19 restrictions.  Madam Speaker, the total income in 2022 is mainly comprised of the Government’s subvention of $500,000, sponsorships and entry fees into the Festival Village and events. The expenses detailed for the same year include those for the performance of events at Road Town, Virgin Gorda, Carrot Bay and East End/Long Look, as the Committee did not separate all expenses by the location of the events.  The categories of expenses include entertainment, village-related infrastructure, the parade, Rise and Shine and Warm Up events and other general expenses.  The preliminary expenditure for the 2022 Emancipation Celebrations is $762,783.52.  Madam Speaker, the final report of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee for the year 2022 will be tabled in the House of Assembly at a later date which will detail income, expenses and all related activities.

2023

Madam Speaker, as the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee continues to address various costs associated with the recently concluded 69^th Emancipation Celebrations for 2023, I can only provide preliminary figures at this stage.  Government’s subvention was approximately $1.02 million; estimated revenue is $1.07 million and estimated expense is $1.87 million. The Committee is in the process of finalising this year’s accounts which will be included in the 2023 report. I anticipate the report’s completion by December 2023.

Question 3

Madam Speaker, could the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance please tell this Honourable House, how much money was spent for the emancipation celebrations in East End/Long Look for 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively?

Answer 3

2019

Madam Speaker, the expenses for the East End/Long Look for 2019 related to the operation of the Committee’s Booth, Mr. & Ms. Jr. BVI, entertainment costs, the Village’s infrastructure, and the Parade and Rise & Shine.  Those expenses totalled $327,152.19. 

Madam Speaker, let me mention here, that the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Annual Report for 2019 was tabled in this Honourable House on 11^th June, 2020 with a breakdown of all activities and financial matters.

2021

Madam Speaker, the celebrations for 2021 were virtualized and nominal in nature and therefore, the Committee did not incur costs for that year in relation to celebrations in East End/Long Look.

2022

Madam Speaker, the expenses from the Virgin Islands Festival and Fair Committee for East End/Long Look for 2022 related to entertainment for Rise and Shine and coronation of the Mr. & Ms. Jr. BVI. The approximate costs are $22,000. A detailed breakdown of the specific costs, Madam Speaker, will be detailed in the Committee’s 2022 Report when finalised.

2023

Madam Speaker, the Festival and Fairs Committee is still in the process of finalising the financial report for 2023. This report I anticipate will be finalised and submitted with the 2022 report by December 2023.

Question 4

Madam Speaker, could the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance please give this Honourable House the following:

1. A detailed breakdown of the monies owed to the BVI Electricity Corporation by central Government and all subvention receiving statutory entities under his purview as Premier? and

Answer 4a)

Madam Speaker, outstanding balances owed to BVIEC by Central Government and its statutory bodies and agencies have been a challenge over the years that has spanned several administrations. But Madam Speaker, since taking up office, my administration has committed to pay to vendors what is owed. BVIEC is no exception. Madam Speaker, it is important for me point out that the majority of outstanding balances owed by Central Government represent current balances, or balances that are between zero to thirty days old. Madam Speaker, the aging report prepared by BVIEC shows that the total outstanding balance under Central Government as at 31^st August, 2023 is $833,518.42. Of this amount, $728,111.77 represents current balances. It is also important to note that of this current balance, $455,998.75 is the current balance owed for Bi-Water operations.

Madam Speaker, this demonstrates that Central Government is largely honouring the amounts owed to BVIEC.

Madam Speaker, as it relates to statutory entities under my purview as Premier, the only statutory entity under the Premier’s Office that would be billed for electricity is the Recovery and Development Agency.

b) Of the amount owed what is the plan to pay off the outstanding balance?

Answer 4b)

Madam Speaker, this Honourable House would be aware that Government has centralised payment of utility bills (under the Telephone Services Management Unit), and this has worked well to ensure electricity bills are paid when due. Building on this success, Ministries, Departments and Units will be encouraged to continue to ensure electricity bills are paid when they become due.

Madam Speaker, the challenges extend much further than outstanding balances owed to BVIEC, but Government is exploring all options including payment plans, settlement in full, and application of any credit notes at BVIEC. In addition, the Ministry of Finance will continue to monitor the performance of statutory bodies to ensure that they are meeting all obligations.