The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

With the presentation of the Supplementary Budget yesterday somehow I felt a lot more reassured in the presentation than when the previous administration talked about finances.

Of course, the controversial issue is that the previous administration understated contractual commitments by $1 billion needs to be examined and I expect someone from the Government side to give details...the counter argument of the outgoing Government was honestly laughable. If you missed they suggested that the $1 billion was spent between September 16th and yesterday.

On the revenue side... thought they were going after delinquent tax payers? Real Property zero increase...

Fuel Duties... gas-diesel costs have jumped from eight-nine months ago at $40.00 a barrel to $80.00 a barrel and zero increase in Duties/Fees? I know at my gas station I am paying far more, which is hurting many.

Nice to see projected increase in Revenue side of $92.3 million... but it could be in the hundreds... PM mentions one delinquent tax payer owes $1.4m... hope by next week he will confirm that collected.

Annoyed on the Expenditure side... OPM expenses jump by $6.7m... Finance has to be a typo, but the Estimates show $31m increase... majority of Ministries cut.

Editor, a whopping $53m increase in expenses...

P THOMPSON

Nassau,

October 28, 2021.