Government seeking close to EC$100 million in new Supplementary Bill

THE GOVERNMENT is seeking to have approval for close to EC$100 million approved in the House of Assembly to continue, or complete works which it has already started in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). Finance Minister, Camillo Gonsalves, at a meeting of Parliament on Thursday, August 7, 2025, moved a motion to kick off debate on the supplementary bill seeking approval for a further $98.6 million.

“ The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines finds it necessary to seek the approval of this honourable House for a Supplementary Appropriation of $98.6 million,”the Minister of Finance said.

He outlined that the money is needed “to complete works in some specific areas”.

Of the total for which parliamentary approval was being sought, $28.2 million is to complete the ongoing road programme, $25.6 million is for the completion of the Modern Port Project, $41.7 million is for post Beryl Housing recovery, and $3 million is to pay for continued accommodation of persons by the hurricane, who are still in guest houses.

In relation to the construction of the modern port in Kingstown, Minister Gonsalves said this is the third time for which parliamentary approval is being sought for supplementary funds.

The project was initially projected to cost $700 million, but is now seeing a 3% increase in completion cost, he said. It was was to have been completed by mid -2025, but it is now expected to be completed by the end of October this year.

During the debate on Thursday, Minister Gonsalves said the port project was affected by two delays.

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