Time for equal $$ allocations to At-Large & District Reps- Hon deCastro -Jr Minister says $150K for At-Large as compared to over 325K for Districts is unequal

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Junior Minister for Tourism at At-Large Representative, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) has called for reform to budget allocations given to At-Large representatives in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) as compared to District Representatives.

Hon de Castro made the calls during a presentation at today’s December 15, 2021, Budget Debates via a virtual sitting of the House.

“A point of concern for me especially as an At-large Representative is the current Budget structure as it relates to allocation. As it is presently, the District Representatives are assigned an Allocation through Civil Mitigation in the amount of $200,000.00 via the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities and an additional $125,000.00 through the House of Assembly,” Hon Decastro raised.

Unfair budget structure - Hon de Castro highlights

She said ultimately, District Representatives have access to over $325K annually, “now granted, this is in addition to the fact that District Representatives have separate access to funding for various community projects; namely, bush cutting and gut cleaning."

Meanwhile, according to the Jr Minister, At-Large Representatives who have territory-wide obligations only have access to $150 annually through the House of Assembly.

“It is clear that needs urgent consideration as all elected members in their capacity as elected representatives should have access to equal funding allocation so that each can facilitate various projects and initiatives throughout the territory.