Government’s 2021/22 Budget Passes Through the Assembly Without Support from the Opposition

The Government’s 2021/22 Budget was passed in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

The 206 Million dollar budget presented by Premier the Honourable Joseph Farrell did not receive any votes from members of the opposition with all four abstaining.

The Honourable David Osborne expressed disappointment with the budget.

He said the estimate of revenue and expenditure does not address Montserrat’s recovery after the coronavirus pandemic.

Honourable David Osborne.

The budget include an expenditure of 69.75 million dollars on capital projects.

This is classified as Economic Infrastructure Development - $54.91 million, Social Infrastructure Development of 10.43 million, Education of 2.15 million, Public Administration of $1.73 million, Statistical Research and Miscellaneous Projects of 300,000 thousand dollars and Agricultural Services - 233 thousand dollars. 

Meantime,

Member of Parliament the Honourable Claude Hogan is predicting a turbulent year for Montserrat.

Mr. Hogan, cites cuts in the budget for many services across the public service, which he says will impact economic activity.

He also chided the government for the absence of any clear policy on critical sectors such as health and transportation.

Honourable Claude Hogan
In defense of the budget, Premier the Honourable Joseph Farrell describes it as being innovative and progressive, and designed to create jobs.

Premier the Honourable Joseph Farrell