Local News
Grants Awarded Without Transparency By Andrew Fahie’s Administration, Finds Auditor General
Millions Of Public Funds Disbursed Without Supporting Documents, Including A Medical Grant For Breast Reduction Surgery
The disbursement of $23 million in assistance grants awarded under ex-Premier Andrew Fahie‘s administration between 2019 and 2022 was done without transparency and accountability, a recent damning report from the British Virgin Islands Auditor General has revealed.
The auditors found that the grants were disbursed without guidelines by the thirteen electoral representatives with the Premier’s Office awarded forty-seven percent of the cash, while the House of Assembly disbursed thirty-nine percent.
In some cases, some persons received $50,000, while others were given $200,000 over the three-year period, the document stated, highlighting that there was no communication between ministries which resulted in grants being awarded for the same purpose by various ministries through programmes, including Covid-19 Small Business Grant and Premier’s Office Assistance Grants.
One listed example of poor oversight and double awarding of cash was the case of three fishermen from the First Electoral District – Fahie’s former District – who received funds from the Premier’s Office and the official Covid-19 grants programme for farmers and fishers. They were awarded $49,000 from the official programme, and over $75,000 from the Premier’s office.
Additionally, the auditors found that a former legislator also received cash totalling $109,500 for monthly living expenses and that $2.6 million was listed for higher education, but $790,000 was given without any documents to show that applicants were indeed enrolled with institutions.
Persons also applied for medical assistance without supporting medical evidence, auditors shared, noting that in one case, a grant was awarded for a breast reduction surgery without any medical diagnosis or referral.
The report stressed that there was no verification in the application process for grants with representatives and ministers responsible for giving the final approval for the disbursements.
Some 250 applications were assessed by the House of Assembly showed that a mere ten percent of the documents were submitted with supporting documents.
Auditors described the grants system as an unauthorised welfare programme with more than $1 million given to public officers, or a family member, which was a clear conflict of interest.
The report concluded that funds were not equitably distributed across the territory with several cases of preferential treatment such as the Premier’s Office giving thirty percent of almost $11 million to residents living in his former District.
The audit was one of the recommendations of the 2021 Commission of Inquiry which was held to investigate government corruption at all levels.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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