Politics
Some findings of Assistance Grants audit are “deeply concerning”
(STATEMENT) — The audit on Assistance Grants has now been tabled and discussed in the House of Assembly, and is now available to the public with appropriate redactions. The audit was conducted in response to Commission of Inquiry Recommendation B12, and covered Assistance Grants issued between January 2019 and May 2022.
A number of the findings in the report are deeply concerning. The funds were for the most part not governed by any financial rules or eligibility criteria and were hence not consistently distributed on the basis of need. All of the programmes were absent of documented objectives and the audit highlights that individuals “within the orbit of the political arena may have received preferential treatment in the awarding of assistance”.
Over the last three years, the Government awarded a total of $23m in Assistance Grants across three ministries and the House of Assembly. The Premier’s Office accounted for 47% of the total awards given from these programmes, while the thirteen members of the House of Assembly awarded 39%.
The audit concludes that these Assistance Grants Programmes lacked “controls that would promote equity, transparency and accountabilities” and that the programmes were allowed to “operate unabated at the whims and pleasure of elected officials”. “The operations of these programmes, for the most part, did not serve to resolve any socio-economic deficiencies” and were “largely utilized to satisfy individual wants and desires”.
The classes of persons who applied and received assistance from these programmes included Permanent Secretaries and other senior public officers, attorneys and entrepreneurs. Some instances were found where single applicants received in excess of $50,000 in a single payment. In one instance a senior public officer and their immediate family members received grants totally $217,900 over the period. The audit concludes that there is evidence of “abuse of discretionary authority by Members in awarding grants” as well as “abuse by applicants who have utilized the deficiencies to benefit themselves significantly”.
As the programmes lacked cross ministry communication and collaboration, some applicants made and received assistance from multiple programmes for the same purpose. In some cases, applicants received more funds than originally requested. The 149 page appendix to the audit report sets out the amounts received by each individual beneficiary, applicant or vendor.
The auditor found that the programmes operated by the Ministry of Communications and Works were specifically targeted towards things such as home repairs, and the programme operated by the Ministry of Education appeared to be intending to serve academic and cultural purposes. The programmes operated by the House of Assembly and Premier’s Office had no such limitations or focus and were utilised for an expansive array of purposes based on the Members’ or Ministers’ determination.
Let me assure the public that this audit in no way criticises those who were deserving of assistance and legitimately asked for support. Rather the audit exposes the lack of controls and criteria which appear to have allowed the system to be abused.
I will be forwarding the audit report on Assistance Grants to the Attorney General’s Office for the Attorney General to assess whether the Government should pursue recovery in any instances. I will also ask the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Police to assess if any offences were committed.
The wholesale review of the system of benefits and grants conducted in partnership with UNICEF has now been received and I am pleased that the Department of Social Security and Health are taking these recommendations forwards.
It should be noted that the payments considered for this Assistance Grants audit are separate from the $16m issued in Covid-19 Assistance Grants and are separate from funding for local district infrastructure projects. I am expecting to receive an audit on Covid-19 Assistance Grants by the end of March and I will cause it to be laid in the House of Assembly within three months, in accordance with the Audit Act 2003.
I welcome the commitment to reform which was expressed in the House of Assembly. It is vital that the necessary reforms are taken forward both before and after the forthcoming General Election, ensuring that public money is properly used to have a positive impact on people who find themselves in need.
Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley, has extended his congratulations to Hon. Charles Washington Misick following his victory in the recent general elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In a letter sent on Monday, Premier Wheatley acknowledged the strong mandate given to the Turks and Caicos leader by the people, describing it as a clear endorsement of his leadership. “The overwhelming support given to you by the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands is a testament to the confidence and trust placed in your leadership,” Wheatley wrote.
As Premier Misick begins his new term, Hon. Wheatley offered his best wishes for the successful implementation of national initiatives. “I wish you and your team a successful term in office as you work tirelessly to secure the political, social, and economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands for the citizens,” he stated.
The BVI Premier, who currently serves as President of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA), also expressed appreciation for Hon. Misick’s support in securing that position. “Please allow me to also take this opportunity to thank you for your support in my bid for the Presidency of UKOTA and express collective congratulations on your win on behalf of all the Overseas Territories,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of regional cooperation, Hon. Wheatley reiterated his commitment to strengthening ties between the Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. “I look forward to your continued collaboration and support as we continue to work together as Overseas Territories leaders for the betterment of our people and to strengthen the ties between our respective Territories,” he added.
The Government of the Virgin Islands remains focused on fostering strong partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands and other Overseas Territories to advance shared interests and address the unique needs of their communities.
Henry Prince has been appointed District Officer for Virgin Gorda, effective February 3. In this role, he will coordinate government activities on the island, oversee the management of the Government Administration Building, and serve as the primary point of contact for official inquiries.
Prince brings over two decades of leadership and managerial experience, having previously served as Director of Facilities at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and Operations Manager at the Bitter End Yacht Club. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management, a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute, and a Graduate Certificate in University Teaching and Leadership.
Prince expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve the Virgin Gorda community, stating, “The role represents the Public Service’s commitment to maintaining a standard of excellence across the Virgin Islands, and I am delighted at the opportunity to contribute to this progress. I look forward to working and engaging with colleagues and the community in this capacity.”
As District Officer, he will collaborate with Sister Islands Programme Coordinator Monel Nickie, as well as District Officers Carmen Blyden of Jost Van Dyke and Shirley Vanterpool Evans of Anegada.
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome, MBE, welcomed Prince’s appointment, emphasizing the significance of the District Officer role in ensuring government services are effectively delivered to Sister Islands residents. “Mr. Prince is a valuable addition to the Sister Islands Programme Unit, and I am confident that his skills and experience will allow him to succeed in this role,” she said.
The Government of the Virgin Islands continues its commitment to the effective administration of the Sister Islands through the Sister Islands Programme Unit.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley has denied having discussions with former Deputy Premier Hon. Lorna G. Smith, OBE, about rejoining the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government in the House of Assembly.
Speaking to JTV today, February 6, following a contract signing for the territory’s inaugural Solar Technology and Energy program, Hon. Wheatley addressed speculation following a report suggesting he had been in talks with Smith. “I want all of them to come over, all of them—but no, I have not engaged Hon. Smith in any discussion about coming over,” he stated. However, the premier acknowledged reaching out to her for assistance on financial services matters.
Smith, who was dismissed from the government on October 23, 2024, has also refuted claims that she has returned to the VIP government.
“It is not true. I continue to serve the people of this territory to the best of my ability as an independent member of the Opposition,” Smith asserted. Pressed on whether she had ongoing discussions with the premier about rejoining the government, she declined to elaborate, saying, “I have no further comment.”
Smith, who was appointed Deputy Premier and Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade after the April 2023 general elections, was removed from office via an official letter from Premier Wheatley that morning.
“At approximately 8:00 a.m. this morning, I received a letter from the Hon. Premier stating he requested that His Excellency the Governor revoke my appointment,” Smith said in a statement at the time.
Her departure resulted in Third District Representative Julian Fraser’s appointment as Deputy Premier. Fraser, a former VIP member and chairman of the Progressives United party, has aligned himself with the ruling VIP government. Wheatley defended the leadership change as a necessary step for ensuring stability.
“This is a necessary change to the composition of the government that provides my administration with political stability and a wealth of knowledge and experience which will serve us well over the course of this House of Assembly,” Wheatley said at the time. “Political stability is critical at this time to ensure we finalize the completion of governance reforms and effectively address the recommendations of the mutual evaluation report.”
Smith, initially elected as a Territorial-At-Large representative under the National Democratic Party (NDP), broke ranks to help form the VIP-led administration before ultimately resigning from the NDP.
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