Premier Andrew Fahie while linking some of the misfortunes from past governments as part of the reason for having ministerial political advisors, said the initiative will not cost the taxpayers any additional money and will not amount to the $1 million figure as suggested by the Opposition Leader.
Premier Fahie made the statement during a lengthy speech on Monday July 26as he responded on the controversial topic which has so far resulted in public backlash.
The premier said that the role of ministerial political advisors will not create any new expense for either government or taxpayers, as these funds are ordinarily budgeted for government consultants.
He said, “We are simply putting structure to an existing practice and utilising the funds already allocated to the Ministries for engaging consultants. But, further to this, the amount that will be paid in remuneration is not the $1.35 million that the Opposition is throwing around.”
Will not surpass $867,000
The leader of government business said that if the advisors were to be fully utilised by all eligible persons, the figures would not surpass $867,000, a figure which he said is far less than the $1 million figure purported by the leader of the Opposition Marlon Penn.
“Cabinet approved a maximum of three advisers to the Premier and a maximum of one for all other Ministers and Junior Ministers. The Premier or any of the Ministers are NOT obligated to utilise this post or the maximum allowed. The remuneration are in two bands; (1) for the Adviser to the Premier, the remuneration range is between $79,440 and $120,000 per annum; and (2) for the Adviser to the other Ministers and Junior Ministers, the remuneration range is $60,408 to $84,408 per annum,” he explained.
He added, “So, if the Premier and the Ministers and Junior Minsters engage the maximum allowed number of advisers, the total amount to be paid across all Ministers will be between $600,768 on the low side to no more than $866,448. These are the facts.”
No hidden fees or expenses to add
Premier Fahie also assured residents that the political advisors will only be compensated for their assigned contracted work and will not be receiving any hidden or additional fees.
He said, “There is nothing else to add on to this figure because the advisers are not entitled to any other benefits. The advisers are not entitled to vacation leave, sick leave, overtime, gratuity, phone allowance, travelling allowance, vehicle allowance, meal allowance or any other benefits.”
“So, clearly, we are not near the base total of $1.08 million that the Opposition is peddling, and definitely a long way from the $1.35 million they are throwing around, which they have inflated with false and sensational assumptions about non-existent benefits,” the premier added.
Although the BVI has used the United Kingdom’s model as a guide to implement this new initiative, the premier said there are several distinctions that have been made when it comes to the BVI’s model
He said the adviser will not be working with or alongside any political party or engaged in any lobbying as is done in the UK, they cannot instruct nor override public officers and the adviser will not be duplicating the job of any public officer.