BVI News

UK places extra scrutiny on government’s tender waiver habits

Governor Rankin

The UK’s new minister responsible for the British Overseas Territories, Jesse Norman has instructed Governor John Rankin to draft a report in the next few weeks to assess whether Cabinet is still unjustifiably issuing tender waivers for government contracts.  

Those instructions were outlined in Norman’s response to the governor’s first quarterly review of the ‘Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report and Other Reforms’.

Rankin had complained about Cabinet’s “continued use of tender waivers for government contracts” in his review that was released in early October. But Premier Dr Natalio clapped back stating that the governor incorrectly conflated ‘tender waivers’ with ‘single-source procurement’ — a process that happens when government gets products and/or services from only one supplier, even if it has other options.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, October 19, Governor Rankin debunked the Premier’s explanation.

“Single-source procurement means ‘no open tendering’ and the [new Public Procurement] Act expressly makes clear that such procurement should only take place in exceptional circumstances. So looking forward, if two-thirds of all contracts simply become single-source procurements rather than tender waivers, then not much will have changed. I very much hope that will not be the case,” Rankin stated.

Legacy procurement issues 

As for UK Minister Norman’s take the matter, he said he recognises that Premier Wheatley’s National Unity Government may have some “legacy procurement issues” it inherited from the previous administration.

Norman noted in his response letter to Governor Rankin that those issues should be addressed proactively and promptly.

Reporting on Norman’s response letter, Governor Rankin said: “The minister asked me to submit a report at the start of December on the issue of tender waivers and single-source procurement so that he can assess progress ahead of the next quarterly review in the public interest.”

Before that time rolls around, Premier Wheatley and his government will have a chance to address Minister Norman directly. The Overseas Territories Minister is planning to visit the BVI next Thursday and Friday — the 27th and 28th of October.

Notwithstanding some concerns raised in the aforementioned quarterly view, Norman has expressed that the BVI’s overall progress of reforms over the initial period is ‘sufficient’.

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18 Comments

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  1. WEW says:

    GOOD. Can’t wait until they throw everyone OUT.

    Like 22
  2. Salty Fish says:

    ‘Sufficient’ —- so much can be read into the ambiguity of that single word that aptly describes both sides efforts (UK and BVI) on pro-actively helping the people of the BVI move forward ‘efficiently’, ‘proactively’, and ‘transparently’!

    Three words unknown to all sides of the COI! Could have used many more adjectives as well but have work to focus on to be sure I pay this month’s bills!

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
  3. vg boy says:

    pls come fast.

    Like 11
    Dislike 1
  4. TruDat! says:

    Slow Andy tink he slick with his use of words but we all see the game. Shame on you sir. Be transparent at all times.

    Like 13
  5. HAHA says:

    Waiting on more fingers to point and blame the UK cause ummm, local politicians are saints ….LOL

    Like 20
  6. Licher and Sticher says:

    I just hope that somebody keeping tab on Sl** Wande and his *** brother’s travel bill. Who going to pay for that? These guys agreed to this arrangement with the UK, they look pretty stupid now trying to reverse it.

    Like 21
  7. Pants on fire says:

    Between the governor and Andrew I don’t know how could tell the most untruth. If you listen good to his press conference he tried again to smooth over untruths he told about the tendering in his quarterly report.

    Like 2
    Dislike 14
  8. Question says:

    If the criteria for a Tender process is met and you still opt for single source procurement; is this not the same thing as waving the tender process?

    Like 15
  9. Deed pole says:

    The Premiere obviously still doesn’t realize simply changing something’s name either corrects or improves it.

    Like 13
  10. @@@ says:

    Wish i could like this 100 times over

  11. Jokes says:

    The UK is the laughing stock of the ENTIRE WORLD at the moment and are talking about good governance. The irony of it all is just too funny! On another note, I am not sorry for Sowande and the gang! They wanted to be Ministers and ‘In-charge’ so bad that they agreed to everything without even reading/understanding, just signed away. Now that the kitchen is getting hot they are searching for water. Elections cannot come soon enough and in my opinion the Government should be dissolved before the end of this year, with elections called by first week of February 2023. The campaign should be about who are best suited to deal with the UK and get the BVI back on a proper path with infrastructural works, economical recovery, education etc. It’s time for the BVI to regain its standing regionally and globally. It has been a shameful few years for us, especially the last 3 years.

    Like 7
    Dislike 7
  12. @Pants on fire says:

    I noticed it as well! The fact that he called an entire press conference to talk basic nonsense tells you all. His quarterly report was meant to stain the government and when they responded to him as harsh as they did, he had no choice but to walk back some of what he was saying initially. The entire thing was a complete waste of time today.

    Like 1
    Dislike 6
  13. very interesting says:

    Tender waive, single source procurement, however you look at it, these guys are playing games. Single sourcing, one man eating. The more things change, the more they remain the same. Greedy Tortolians. Yes, I said it. I from right here, looking on for years. Pure greed.

  14. Hard working citizen says:

    Woah, Easy BVINEWS!

    Let’s report some good news as well, please!

  15. Lb says:

    This time I agree with BVI government. UK is trying to tie our government hands so they have no purpose or use. So if government wants toilet paper for a small office, they have to put it out for tender versus just buying it from AValue down the street?

    You all don’t understand the gravity of some of these recommendations in the COI. This is just dumb. Our small community with limited resources can’t sustain some of these recommendations.

    What duckery Norman talking about sufficient? Sufficient my azz! Like they talking to children. Colonialism is real and must be condemned!

  16. @Lb says:

    Tender process kick in after you spending over 100k. So if you gonna go down the road and buy more than 100k worth of toilet paper then yes it should go to tender. Y’all trying to make people fearful of things working properly around here.

  17. The TRUTH says:

    LIz TRuss gone. LMAO. Get your house in order, UK

    Like 1
    Dislike 3
  18. uk or u dont says:

    legacy procurement? bs these guys are both inept and crooked even underspotlight. how stupid do you have to be to not be able to type a page up for tender? our gov operatives are.too stupidly pompous to even pretend to follow law and honesty.

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