Gov’t still unjustifiably using tender waivers for contracts, UK told
Governor John Rankin has expressed concern to the United Kingdom government that Cabinet in the BVI is still indiscriminately issuing tender waivers for government contracts.
He expressed those concerns this week in his first quarterly review of the ‘Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and Other Reforms’.
The governor said in that review report that there has been good progress in a number of areas. As an example, he identified the government’s efforts to amend the Audit Act to make failure to cooperate with or impede the work of the Auditor General a criminal offence. He also noted changes made to the Service Commission Regulations for the public service.
“However, there are areas where there has been less or no progress,” Governor Rankin stated. “While the overall approach of the Premier and Cabinet has been one of constructive engagement and partnership in [the] delivery of the reforms, there are some areas where I have concerns about the level of commitment to meaningful reform.”
“These include some continued use of tender waivers for government contracts,” Rankin said in the review. While expounding further in a press statement on Tuesday, the governor said these tender waivers by Cabinet are being done with “insufficient justification”.
Back over to his review document, Rankin said other areas of concern include, “the resistance that was encountered to broadening membership of the Constitutional Review Commission, and the amending of the Register of Interests Bill to limit severely public access to the records of interests of Members of the House of Assembly. It is essential that the areas of concern are addressed and that new governance issues do not arise.”
The governor’s first quarterly review has been sent to ministers in the UK for consideration. He promised to hold a press conference once he receives their response.
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HOA after this criminality, change registrar of interests access to make it harder to see the members’ conflicts and corruption?!?! YOU DESERVE SOCIAL SUBJUGATION AND FINANCIAL SLAVERY IF YOU DO NOT RISE FOR CHANGE NOW. AFTER ALL HAPPENS AND 120 days after Fahie and COI findings? Your population deserves to be peasants because you are letting crooks be Lords.
But how his cousin going to get work if they don’t waive tender under the table.
governance by the Unity government since 1st May. Order in Council could come into force and all you politicians can go home forever!
Given the electioneering rhetoric promoting resistance to the recommendations of the COI it is probably time to just remove the elected officials to speed up the process of returning the Territory to proper and ethical governance. Any resistance to the recommendations, especially to the ROI and the tendering process being fully transparent must be nipped in the bud before there is another election. No one should run for office if they have anything to hide, either personally or within their families and friends. We need the sun to shine throughout the government!!
Hot air from all sides, while the people watch this territory regress.
Can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Just chuck all of them out of office, suspend the constitution and put an end to all this. Sooner the better
It is mad to think things will be different with the same crew of people in charge who were responsible for the horror show revealed by the CoI. That’s without the Fahie debacle, which is even worse.
No structural reforms are happening. The ruling cabal is slow walking things until the UK loses interest, then it will be back to normal, and Haiti here we come.
The UK is failing the Territory it’s responsible for by ignoring Higginbotham’s recommendations and not suspending the Constitution and imposing direct rule for at least 2 years.
So sad that people are so caught up in word play they do not see the bigger picture. I hope all who are calling for a UK takeover understand what they are asking for. These are the same people that wanted the NDP gone so bad because VIP were better. Funny how we never learn our lessons. The Unity Government have been asked to do a 3 year task in a few months, while simultaneously managing the affairs of the Territory and we see nothing wrong with it. If you are wondering why the roads, schools and other issues are not getting any attention, then read the Governor’s report and their expectations then ask yourself what’s the difference between this arrangement and UK suspending the Constitution and running the show. They ARE running the show except with strings behind the curtain.
to give government funds to friends and family without tender waivers…
What exactly is the problem governor. Is issuing tender waivers for government contracts in itself a crime? Based onthe outcome of the COI findings I tend to believe that this is an exaggeration AGAIN only to seek out extreme actions. the lot of you are into exaggerating to seek the most extreme actions that should only be used as a last resort in worst case scenario. What happened, vexed for getting called out for stating that you authorise DEA operations in the territory? These people have no broughtupsy and act like spoiled children. Using your powers to put undue pressures on the territory is a form of bullying and it should not be tolerated in a modern society. So what is the problem.
What exactly is the problem governor. Is issuing tender waivers for government contracts in itself a crime? Based onthe outcome of the COI findings I tend to believe that this is an exaggeration AGAIN only to seek out extreme actions. the lot of you are into exaggerating to seek the most extreme actions that should only be used as a last resort in worst case scenario. What happened, vexed for getting called out for stating that you authorise DEA operations in the territory? What exactly is the problem this time!
The problem is that they don’t want to follow the process because they know it will stop the misappropriation of funds which they have all benefited from for so many years. That is the problem.
Thank you for that contribution Much ado.
You obviously do not have the best interest in mind for the BVI.
In case this wasn’t clear. Tender waivers have been abused in the past so that the government can control who receives the tendered job and in turn the tax payers “free” money.
It is a very delicate process to handle tax payers money and responsibly spend it on what is best for the country.
The government has been caught waiving fair tenders without a suitable reason again! This is very serious and deserves a serious reaction, in fact the more serious the reaction the more Rankin actually cares about us the people!
As a citizen this is unacceptable! And I’m assuming you are a citizen, why are you arguing against the crown for trying to help the people of the BVI. You are effectively shooting yourself in the foot!
As for the DEA comment, I invite anyone who is willing to help the people of the BVI and help us out of this oppressive era!
The Unity Government tried to convince the UK that they could do both. Now you see why the Document is in the Privy Council because the UK knew full well they had no faith in the Puppet Government. That same GOV. is surely making it easy for a UK takeover. Wait for the response. Is Slowande the Man for the moment???
So true. Do you see any change with at least the newly initiated Board? Close relatives, just like in the days of the Head Coach regime that started in 2019. And don’t say that they went through an interview/selection process. It’s business as usual. Where else in the world can ministers have their aunties, cousins and siblings on boards under their leadership or areas of responsibility?
You can fool some of the people some of the time.
Anyone who pays taxes wants accountability and value for their money.
Stop believing that the BVI is the most corrupt place. Trump had his daughter and son-in-law with high security clearance. People in power move with and for their cronies everywhere. The problem with these folks is that they lack discretion.
The UK should take over and clean up this place, the governor have the ok from the UK to take over he should just do it.This government is no better than the last one because none of them said nothing while Andrew was doing all his carp.
You cant teach old dogs new tricks.
Everybody in the BVI related to someone. who should be selected to these boards? People from outside ? No matter who you choose someone will have an issue with the selection.
The addition is like smoking or booze. Those old, nasty habits will be hard to break. Clearly our leadership is in denial, or they are not finding the will power to do the breaking.
Not sure why anyone expect change with the same people who caused the problems.
Might as well they let police who commit crimes investigate themselves.