Premier: Compliance lapses may exist across public service
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has acknowledged that failures to follow laws, regulations and government policies may not be confined to the Ministry of Finance, saying similar lapses could exist elsewhere in the public service.
Dr Wheatley made that disclosure during a recent press conference while responding to questions about weaknesses in government’s financial controls and whether broader checks were being conducted across ministries and departments.
“You may find instances throughout the public service where we do not strictly adhere to laws and regulations which have been passed in every situation,” Premier Wheatley stated.
“We also have to put measures in place to ensure that across the public service, we have strict adherence to laws and policies, especially as it pertains to ministerial approvals,” Dr Wheatley added.
The Premier’s comments came after questions about procedural failures surrounding government investments, including a $2.5 million investment lost to the Jamaica-based Delta Capital. Dr Wheatley said the government had identified shortcomings within the Ministry of Finance and had since adopted an investment strategy through Cabinet, with public officers expected to comply with the new policy.
However, when asked whether the government had proactively examined other ministries to determine whether similar procedural weaknesses existed, Dr Wheatley pointed to several existing oversight mechanisms.
“I think we’ve set up a number of processes and institutions that require us to be able to look at our administrative processes and our adherence to laws, regulations, policies. But it’s not to say that we can’t continue and to do a better job,” Dr Wheatley stated.
He cited government’s reporting and budgeting processes, as well as increased oversight of statutory boards, but conceded that shortcomings are sometimes uncovered only after something goes wrong.
“Sometimes, unfortunately, what brings some of the lapses to our attention are actual incidents which take place,” Dr Wheatley said.
The Premier said ministers and senior public officers share responsibility for ensuring that breaches or procedural failures are detected.
“We would like to be proactive about it, but ultimately it’s the responsibility of our ministers. Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of our accounting officers, our permanent secretaries, our deputy governor, etc. to ensure that we have processes and procedures that will assist us in bringing any lapses in adherence to government obligations, administrative obligations to our attention,” Dr Wheatley stated.
The Premier pointed to internal audits as another mechanism available to government, saying the Internal Audit Department could be directed to examine individual ministries or departments to measure compliance with government obligations.
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All the thousands of employees on this bloated government’s payroll, but it cannot place staff in compliance positions? Right after maintaining public order, a government’s other prime directive is to guard the Fisc.
This government is doing a woefully inadequate job of both, but the hapless Premier merely shrugs his shoulders and then makes lame public statements that are insulting to the Territory’s citizens.
‘Natalio Wheatley has acknowledged that failures to follow laws, regulations and government policies may not be confined to the Ministry of Finance, saying similar lapses could exist elsewhere in the public service.’
What do you mean by “could exist”?
IT’S SYSTEMIC, THROUGHOUT Government!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much of Government makes $hit up as and when they please, and it depends on who they’re dealing with. They know it’s wrong, but it serves whatever agenda they’re handling at the time!
This Government (both NDP and VIP) has ALWAYS used ‘policy’ to trump the laws of the land!
I born here. I don’t have to fallow no rules.
So all these years no systems or measures where in place?? That means monies have been stolen for many..many years without the public actually knowing…
Coincidence or what??
Unfortunately that means failure by the Premier who has to ensure compliance with top priority. This cannot be deflected and in the private sector this could/would warrant dismissal from office, if identitfied and not fixed by next termed audit. These are the reasons that frequent travel is an issue for the premier’s post. Someone must be here to guarantee oversight of government functions, and that is no one else fault.
Yeah. We know.
What are you going to India for? For a vacation, to go some where new? To visit Bollywood? Another waste of taxpayers money.
“We would like to be proactive about it, but ultimately it’s the responsibility of our ministers. Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of our accounting officers, our permanent secretaries, our deputy governor, etc. to ensure that we have processes and procedures that will assist us in bringing any lapses in adherence to government obligations, administrative obligations to our attention,” Dr Wheatley stated.
BLAMING EVERY ONE ELSE BUT THE BUCK STOPS WITH YOU MA BOI.YOU ARE THE MINISTER OF FINANCE ARE YOU?
@Brad Boynes, the Premier needs to step down! This hold situation warrants an outside investigation. I say bring in Scotland Yard. How can he be the Minister of Finance and not give the people an answer concerning over 7 million dollars that has disappeared from our Treasury? He is blaming everyone except himself. I can’t wait for the election!
Where are the audited accounts?
I find he premier is being b=very Non-chalant about this. You and your gang screwed up and you all b=need to find those funds immediately.
” COULD EXIST ” MEANS “HONEST MISTAKES ” ACCORDING TO ” MASTER WEATIE’S OWN INTERPRETATION / OR AS IT IS SAID ON THE STREETS , ANOTHER ONE OF HIS LAME EXCUSE FROM HIS SCRIPT ~ AS USUAL •¿• .
Cuz you are just a weak leader. You are not tailored for this job. I have supported you in the past, but this time I have to turn my back. The love is still there.