Churches granted 662% more in stimulus funds — Audit
An audit into the distribution of COVID-19 stimulus funds during previous the Andrew Fahie-led Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration has revealed that religious institutions received 662% more than the amounts initially recommended by a government committee.
This unexpected increase in grant funding came without clear criteria or explanation, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
The report, conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, focused on how the government’s stimulus programme supported religious institutions, civic groups, and educational establishments like private schools and daycares. These grants were part of efforts to help organisations reopen and comply with health protocols during the pandemic.
One of the most striking findings in the report is the vast difference between the committee’s recommended amounts and what was ultimately disbursed by the Premier’s Office. According to the report, the committee initially proposed that religious organisations receive just over $185,000. However, the Premier’s Office adjusted this figure upwards, approving $1.4 million. The Auditor General’s report noted that “the grant award for religious institutions increased by 662% over the recommended amounts”.
8 out of ten never applied
In addition to the unexpected increase in funding, the audit revealed that 80% of religious institutions that received grants had not applied for financial assistance. Despite not submitting applications, these institutions were still awarded public funds. The report highlighted that “80% of the religious institutions did not apply for assistance but were nonetheless approved to receive public grants totalling $1,060,000”.
The committee had initially designed the programme to assist institutions with reopening after the COVID-19 lockdowns, covering costs related to health protocols and general operational expenses. However, the Auditor General’s report suggests that the process for determining which institutions received funds was far from transparent. The report also noted the potential risks of these grants, stating that “the issuing of unsolicited and extravagant public grants to religious institutions presents a threat to the political independence of these entities”.
This audit raised concerns about how public funds were handled during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether proper procedures were followed. While the stimulus programme aimed to support essential institutions during a difficult time, the lack of documentation and unexplained adjustments to the grant awards have led to calls for greater transparency and accountability in how public money is spent.
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To help influence the ones who influence the sheep.
I posted this about guilt by association yesterday about peby that logic people blaming all of VIP for 1 man action. Soby that logic about 80% of BVI is culpable…..
The old people say…
October 28, 2024 at 10:12 AM
A man is known by the company he keeps.
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Really?
October 28, 2024 at 11:50 AM
I know alot of Pastors that ae crooked to the core so I guess all he people that go to their Churchs should be liable for their actions. And ALOT of BVIslanders go to church.
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All i coid say is when the man done do his time up yonder in foreign he could come home and do the rest of his life up balasm… thas ah lot ah money mihson
Methodist church deserves it because long ago all their churches were used for schools
When on this earth will we stop justifying wrong based on who? The fact that they started education here don’t mean the unjustified money they received is right. None of these churches help nobody but their church based families. People from outside dont get church help. Many of them are actually worse than the government, their plate is never full enough and its always more, more more.
Sad thing is nobody will be brought to account and the report and work only comes with a warning on the tap of shoulders. Crap will continue
8 out of 10 never applied? lol imagine a hard working tax payer applied and ain get ntn?
independence them say
Word on the streets is that Andrew was telling church to return some of the monies back to him. That’s the gospel truth.
Sources on the ground have indicated that K*e gets most of the funds; however, the monies are misused!
All 10 churches should be shut down, their buildings auctioned and the entire congregation charged with theft until full restitution is received in the BVI Treasury.
Thats about 75% of the population
Let’s go independent so we do not get caught the next time around!
I thought it was then supposed to be distributed to those in need . A new Rolex for the pastor & kicked back for the construction of a new gym for head coach and his team .
Thats Andrew’s guilt for his devil work lol. What they used to say to the poor people back in Europe was put money in and you will go to heaven. Like the 9 virgins suicide bombers people were fooled off.
And we call the politicians corrupt? We spend everyday berating the 13 elected officials, no matter which party, which term, which year, when the real evil ones are the very voters themselves. The people/voters are corrupt and evil but demand transparancy, accountability and honesty from the elected officials. HAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Not wild about the idea on my taxes going off to support churches, but we all knew nothing was going to stop this.
Let’s publish the list of those who received free Covid grants, for what purpose (pretend farmer of fishermen) and the amount they received.
This government of fools should actually become transparent and work for the constituents that foolishly voted them in.
When will the government actually do their jobs and help better the land and people?
When will the wasted money for trips, music festivals and poor management come to an end.
Why do we have to borrow and waste money to help our government function?
Where the hell does all the revenue that our government collect go?
We need accountability or for the UK to take over.
now you’re taking it too far. we also don’t need to see whom privileged kids got “scholarships”
im sure the churches and private schools have records on how they used the funds, wouldn’t that be a basic requirement for receiving them? 260k to Methodist church. can I get an amen!
It was to be a basic requirement for everyone who received our tax money.
all the churches here are corrupt
The worst criminals in the world are the ones who hide behind and manipulate religion to benefit their criminal activities.
When Sunday comes, just ask for forgiveness and do it all over again.
Let them all account for how the money was spent. The houses of God should be more transparent than anyone else.
Grease their paw and keep them quiet
What a corrupt place
That was done for the Pastors to iget theirnchurch members to keep him in power
See where he is now
Why would the government give ANY money to a church? They are not part of the state.
Set of fakes. At lease the Pastors are making a good living. Having a good life. Its a very profitable business, runs by these professional fakes.