Gov’t should fix problems in new Social Development system
The government should move to fix inadequacies which have emerged since social assistance grants have been rerouted to the Social Development Department (SDD).
That was the position shared in a report issued by Governor John Rankin when he addressed the most recent developments in the government’s efforts at reform arising from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report.
Lawmakers have complained bitterly about the bureaucracy attached to the new system ever since allocations were removed from the direct remit of the House of Assembly and from lawmakers in particular.
But Governor Rankin shot down those protests in his most recent quarterly report, insisting that the new procedures should not be skirted.
“I have heard concerns that the current system is leaving some people who previously received financial support without,” Governor Rankin said. “This is for Government to fix, not by circumventing processes but by ensuring that the processes are trusted and fit for purpose.”
Governor Rankin further argued that the recommendations from the review of the BVI welfare benefits and grants system seek to do this, and he said the cessation of Government Ministries’ Assistance Grants in their previous form was just the very first step in a process.
Governor concerned over pushback
The COI and subsequent audits found that the previous system in place had been abused in the absence of clear oversight and the Governor said he found it concerning that the findings of the audits were challenged publicly, given the context that surrounded the issue.
In his report, Governor Rankin pointed out that the audit on COVID-19 assistance grants laid in the House of Assembly earlier this year found that in excess of two thousand grants were made totalling nearly four million dollars.
The audit showed that the grants enjoyed some measure of success, as they were able to assist persons in financial hardship brought on by the pandemic. However, at the same time, it found that there were applicants who took advantage of the programme to obtain public funds in order to accommodate their lifestyle or otherwise obtain grants in the absence of genuine need.
A previous audit on assistance grants issued by House members found that the “funds were largely not governed by any financial rules or eligibility criteria” and were not consistently distributed based on need.
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Games with their own people’s mind so judge to outsiders , but they cannot pull the wool over you/ so hence their daily use of racial rethoric to try and decieve the people , let the cleansing begin leave no stone unturned ( it’s shameful how manipulate human beings and have the heart to smile with you and act as if they care about their country or anyone but themselves
“LET’S GO INDEPENDENT”
is permanently closed. Thank you CoI!
@ LIKE WIGGY SAID
And we will be Haiti is less than a year.
The BVI Government Members will never try to fix the Social Development Assistance Grant Program because they are already upset because the monies were taken away from them for good reasons. The BVI Government is not about making life easier for ALL the Citizens of the territory. They are about making sure themselves, their families and their Cronies are taken care of and the rest of Society can Die. I would recommend a Committee headed by Hon. Mather be formed to review the programs and bring to the Public then proper policies and procedures be put in place in a fair and equitable manner. Any elected Government that is fair and have good intentions for the well-being of ALL its Citizens can’t go wrong. If you don’t or can’t care about people then you need to stand down.
So continue to give hand outs as opposed to developing systems and policies for our people to survive – idiot.
Fix this BVI
Total restoration
You all keep B….ING ABOUT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD AND NEEDTO FIX THINGS AND HE SHOULD DO THIS AND THAT. NOW IF THE GOVERNOR DROP THE HAMMER AND REALLY STEP IN, YOU WILL HEAR THE WHITE MAN FROM THE UK IS TAKING OVER AND TELLING US WHAT TO DO. Make up your F…ing minds as to what you want. I wish the Governor would suspend the Construction.
The Governor forced a change that the Government was not ready for then shifts the inadequate handling onto the Government that it was forced upon. This is how the British operate. That being said, the reason given for the change is not the worst and is being done in the name of transparency. But there is an oldtime saying ‘Until better can be done let the worse continue’. Which system is more efficient for people most needing? Keep in mind that even a beauacratic system of many checkpoints will be abused and will not be perfect, as this system brings it’s own problems. Perhaps one brush doesn’t paint every situtation. Maybe the reps do need a certain amount for allocation and then for further assistance there needs to be a multifaceted beauacratic procedure. Too many people involved slows the effectiveness and will hurt those who really need while simultaneously stopping those who really don’t need it. Let’s be more logical with our decision making both UK and Local administration need to consider these things as they plan and not just react to try to solve 1 problem thus creating another.
The politicians stood for election claiming that they were able to do the job. But they can’t. Get rid of them all.