Disregarding procurement rules a troubling culture within BVI gov’ts
A pervasive culture of disregarding rules and procedures in government has left Auditor General (AG) Sonia Webster with some amount of concern.
During a live hearing of the Commission of Inquiry (COI), Webster said she found that it was becoming acceptable within the government to disregard procurement requirements.
“I think there needs to be an understanding that those rules are put in place to protect the government,” Webster said. “They’re put in place to protect transparency.”
Webster said the absence of these measures creates what she describes as ‘a slippery slope’. The AG also said she is concerned that if the practice is not arrested, it will be a very costly exercise for the BVI in the long run.
The issue of disregard for procurement procedures is one with which Webster said she has become intimately familiar in her 30-year tenure inside the office of the AG.
Webster said she has seen a willingness in public officers to basically bypass the rules and make excuses for having bypassed them.
Contract splitting lacks transparency
According to the AG, contract splitting has been and continues to be one of the biggest issues that circumvent the rules of procurement. She also described it as the most basic form of circumvention of tendering requirements and said the practise was not being regulated.
“The regulations in place for public procurement are insufficient to ensure transparency and value-for-money [when there is] contract splitting,” the AG noted.
She said the practice of contract splitting risks incidents of cronyism, favouritism, poor value for money, and the hiring of inexperienced contractors.
She recommended that the regulations for public tender be reviewed for improved transparency.
Even as the AG decried the practice, at least two former ministers in the previous National Democratic Party government who gave testimony during the COI, stated emphatically that Cabinet has the authority to override procurement regulations by splitting major contracts into smaller ones.
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The AttG and AudG among others show there are true leaders with our interests and future at heart. They have courage and conviction to get there. They should be lifted up and in due course, feted as true VI Heroes, in place of those who have since disgraced themselves and looted our country.
The auditor general has proved herself. Leave the Attorney general out of this one as she hasn’t been in the position to prove her worth. I don’t think I need to remind you of the QC who spoke well and we thought that person was a great leader.
The Attorney Gen is a completely different kettle of fish than the Audit Gen. Ms Webster has steel in her back. A true leader
The UK needs to take over the BVI for 2 years to clean up this mess like they in Turks and Caicos and forbid any of the ministers from the past and present governments from running for office agan.
I suspect that the Commissioner wrote that part of his report before he arrived.
I know what your response will be to mine, so don’t bother waste your time.
Knowing the brutal and atricious, inhumane history of the British dating back to the 1400, i would never, ever live under full British rule, ever! And, English racism is as nasty and filthy as it gets. Don’t want no part of that nasty mind set in my own home land.
If they show up here, in my home town, i am moving out. There is lots of space and opportunity where i will be very happy.
Don’t leave the door hit you in the behind on your way out.
Adios mofo.
Judging from your comment, are you suggesting that me and fellow Black Virgin Islanders subject themselves to a life of brutal arparthied, vicious, atricious, inhumane treatment and nasty and filthy racism? Life is worh more than that. Or does the truth hurt that badly.
But where would you move to?
Well I’m pretty much decided who I want for our next Premier…
Cart ayo ms go sit down. You putting corrupt to rule corrupt? ayo want to see man here dropping like flies with more crime it seems.
My friend wondered years ago, and now I wonder the same: What is the purpose of our elected leaders? Why the district/At-Large system? Are we really in a democracy? Or is it a popular/poppy show competition? What are our alternatives for leadership, and self-governance that doesn’t include the UK coming in?
Again, applauding Mrs. Sonia Webster, and countless civil servants who truly carry out the work for the people of the Virgin Islands, especially in a system that “looks the other way” so often. I hope others are able to benefit from her mentorship, and her sponsorship, because some of these traits can definitely be learned, molded, and adapted. Thank you again for your service.
The Auditor General report for the farmers and fisherfolks need a criminal investigation.
How can a man ask for a roll of wire receive $9,000 plus,
How can the same person in good concience collect 2 cheques, how can a boat owner and crew get paid for the same engine, how can a crew member be paid more than the boat owner, somebody get 4 cheque: fisherman grant, farmer grant, business grant, politician grant.
Some s**t wrong. Somebody need to go jail.
ALL RESPECT TO YOU MISS WEBSTER , F0R TELLING IT LIKE IT IS HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY , THOSE WITH CLEAN HANDS HAS NOTHING TO FEAR
It is pure evil to use covid-19 stats to ask the UK to postpone the COI. Why prolong the agony of the people when we all know how this will end. There is an honourable way to cop out – resign now in the interest of the greater good.
For years there has been no doubt in my mind regarding Government corruption. Miss Webster’s interviews were still eye opening. Thank you Miss Webster for standing up at this time. Sad that the COI investigation is the first time she is being heard.
Reading some of the audit reports….
– tax income from cruise ships, environmental levy, cruise permits not included because it was not submitted??
– how hard is it to book projects in separate GL codes!?!?!
– Work permits should also have GL codes based on a general type of position as a way to gather data on how much is from finance, tourist, etc
– Tourist Board “General Advertising”… really? Should they not report detail on which initiatives they have sponsored, who they are advertising with?
– Salaries : astronomical. As a % of a budget, it is too great. Showing there are too many people employed. Sad as some offices do not have enough staff while others have too many ineffective staff.
@PT9, I am real sorry for people who think like think.
Disregarding rules in the Territory is pretty much how the thes islands roll, unless you’re from somewhere else.
NATURE’S LITTLE SECRET ARE BEING REVELED / BRING IT ON MY DEAR/ EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT LURKS BEHIND THOSE PRETENDERS SMILING FACES
NONE OF LOCALS IN THE GOVERMENT ARE TRANSPARENT AT ALL SPECIALLY WHEN THE NDP A FEW STILL GOVERMENT FINANCIAL MONEY LOCALS THIEF!!!
mr coi.This is deep.You got here my a bit late..but it was turning into a narco state.Some players taken out recently.The East is still running things.They even managed to get paid for not unsecuring the border. More to come.The rot starts at de head.