While making a dig at predecessor Owen Arthur, current Independent MP of St Peter after an ongoing feud with Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, word has been given by the Minister of Finance that there will be a Budgetary presentation this year.
Last year, many will recall, was the first in Post Independent Barbados to be without a Budget, only a Ministerial Statement was given by Chris Sinckler as a last minute stopgap which precluded Debate or even placing to a vote.
At a recent presentation of $35.65 million to deposit into Barbados’ Consolidated Fund, Sinckler was put under the microscope and asked if this year will also have a Statement in lieu of a Budget. Sinckler pledged one will happen “soon,” when pressed to define this period, he said shortly after Estimates.
Sinckler declared he won’t be having Estimates and Budget the same day as it is too long a process to stretch the resources of Parliament, the Finance Minister recalled when ex-Prime Minister Arthur had both done in one day and as a result Parliament ran for over 24 hours since each bill was debated before tabling then voting upon.
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