Questions for the Minister of Finance, Auditor General and Members of Parliament

Fri, May 25. 2012

Editor: Several years ago, Parliament introduced measures to allocate certain amounts in the Annual Budget, for the rental of Constituency Offices for elected representatives. In the case of the Leader of the Opposition, allocations are received for both the office of the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and the constituency office of the said representative.{{more}}

According to Parliamentary records, a monthly amount of $1,500 is being received by each Representative who operates a constituency office.

In the case of one MP, the amount received from the Government Treasury for rent for his Constituency Office, since the initiative was implemented, could be in excess of $200,000. However, a constituency office was never rented or operated (by that MP).

For several months now, this matter has been raised time and again by some Vincentian citizens. The Minister of Finance, the Auditor General and Parliament refuse to investigate and provide answers to the Vincentian public – at home and in the Diaspora.

Why this deafening silence on this serious issue, on the part of MPs on both sides of the aisle? Why is this serious issue not a topic for discussion on the radio talk shows? Are there other elected representatives in this same situation?

According to media reports, the MP in question claimed that he uses the money to assist needy constituents. From where did he get the authority to spend the money for purpose(s) other than for which it was appropriated in the annual National Budget?

Is this acceptable to the Minister of Finance, the Auditor General and Members of the Parliament of SVG? Is this acceptable to Vincentians?

Would the MP be held accountable for actions which appear to be immoral and illegal?

Wade Kojo Williams, Sr.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.