$6.4M Immigration border system coming
Government is spending more than $6 million on an Immigration management system to improve border security in the British Virgin Islands.
Making the announcement in the House of Assembly recently, Minister of Labour & Immigration Vincent Wheatley said the move is a testament that the Fahie administration is serious about advancing the territory.
“For as long as I can recall, there have been complaints and heavy criticism levied against Labour and Immigration departments,” Wheatley said. “That is why Cabinet recently approved the sum of $6.4 million for the purchase of a new state-of-the-art Immigration border management system.”
This comes several months after Governor Augustus Jaspert announced that travellers arriving and departing the BVI will be subject to heightened security measures to include the implementation of an Advance Passenger Information (API) System.
Meanwhile, Wheatley said he intends to give support to the departments of Labour and Immigration by introducing policies and legislation to help reform and improve them.
Labour, Immigration amalgamation
He further said the much-talked-about online amalgamation of the Labour and Immigration departments has already started.
“It’s currently undergoing testing. We are using a test group of 32 different businesses – which will soon be open to the wider public,” the minister said.
The undertaking is scheduled to be ready for the broader public by July, he stated.
“It is only the beginning. Later on this month, we will be launching a few more initiatives within that department starting with a name change,” he added.
According to Wheatley, the Labour Department will take on a new focus and function as the Department of Labour and Workforce Development.
“This government is not a government of words but action as well,” he said.
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All this government is doing is spending, spending and more spending. I’m not hearing about any revenue raising measures whatsoever. Does the government know how much down incorporations are for the year?
And what bout that whistleblower law?
VIP this is good.
This shows that VIP is serious about boarder control and Immigration and labor reform. It is about time.
hey just make it a cool 10 million. Don’t want it sound like a balance for the airline that never took off
Is the $6M for a computer/technology Labour and Immigration management system? $6M for Labour management system seems pricey. Does the government have a technology expert that will represent the government on assessing what is needed, along with negotiating with the company. Often companies, government, agencies…..etc are sold computer/technology system with many bells and whistles that are underused or used at all. Will the company rep(s) be on board full time to train and operate the system? These bells and whistles are often good for sales agent(s] but produce little or no value for the customer.
Undoubtedly, the VI has an extensive, porous border that must be secure from the air, land and sea. All these programmes and expenditure being rolled out by individual ministry must be an integral part of a national development plan.
$ 6.4 million is off the chart.
Was any competitive tendering sought?
It is possible to buy complete ready made systems for far less than that
While they are about it they need to create a national data base for everyone who lives in BVI, status, licenses and permits held, property owned and so on. That would sharpen up the bureaucracy
And when will people be able to pay govt bills on line. We currently have. 19th century system in2019.
In the movie, Coming to America, when Arseinio Hall back home to request for a million dollars be sent to them, the lady processing the request asked if that would be enough; she suggested another million $.
Likewise make it $2-Mill
I have lived long enough to realize and in several areas prove, that there are not too many persons who can be trusted with government money. You have a little contract out, it goes as a petty contract. Those who have something to do with it, make sure the amount includes a full pocket for them. You wouldn’t believe the extent of kickbacks. No matter which government is in, its always 1 for you, 2 for me. One day corruption will cease
I was skeptical regarding improvements in labour and immigration work permit/resident process. After 11 years, this was the first time the process to pick up my work permit and get my immigration stamp tool 2.5 hours (and that was with only 1 cashier in labour). Even the staff appear happy. Wow! Keep up the improvements.
Good Morning All BVI Islanders
I am happy to hear more substance in policy from the New Administration keep that train alive good work for our BVI.
You all so worried about protecting your borders. The way things are going in the BVI you should be spending the money to get people here….not keep them out.
it is needed. i didn’t even read what was said but if it costs that much it has to be a sophisticated system like all others have. we cry about the criminals coming in and now we may have a system to help suss them out we still frigging bawlin saying the VIP spending spending spending. we need to make up our damn minds what we want and stick to it. I WANT A JOB that’s for sure lol
it is needed. i didn’t even read what was said but if it costs that much it has to be a sophisticated system like all others have. we cry about the criminals coming in and now we may have a system to help suss them out we still frigging bawlin saying the VIP spending spending spending. we need to make up our damn minds what we want and stick to it. I WANT A JOB that’s for sure lol