The Governor of the Virgin Islands, His Excellency Augustus J.U. Jaspert announced that a Commission of Inquiry will be established in the BVI.
The Commission of Inquiry will be issued in accordance with the BVI’s Commissions of Inquiry Act.
The Commission of Inquiry will be a body that can look impartially into matters of public concern. The Commission will look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty in relation to officials – elected, statutory or public – may have taken place in recent years. If so, it will consider the conditions which allowed this to take place and make independent recommendations for improvement.
Growing concerns in the BVI
Governor Jaspert listed a number of concerns allegations that have been brought to his attention, that he says dated back a number of years.
Governor Jaspert said ” First, there are wide concerns over the lack of transparency when it comes to spending public funds, particularly those relating to COVID-19 economic stimulus support. Second, there are wide concerns over the possible mismanagement of some public projects. Successive audit reports have set out practices of political interference, inflated pricing and conflicts of interest. These may have cost the public purse millions of dollars in recent years, with no sign of improvement. “
He continued “Third, and linked to the previous points, there are concerns over the lack of transparency relating to Government contracts. Key concerns include a lack of fair and open competition, conflicts of interest and a lack of value for money. We need to know how individuals are getting work so we can ensure equal opportunities for all. Fourth, there are allegations of some political interference occurring in some statutory bodies. A number of officers from our bodies have come to me with concerns about individuals being replaced by political allies and officers being coerced into circumventing protocols and taking improper practices.”
In listing the allegations he lastly stated, “Finally, there are wide concerns about intimidation taking place across our society, public services and the media with many describing ‘a growing culture of fear’ in BVI.”
Governor Jaspert encourages residents to engage with the Commission
Governor Jaspert is hopeful that the residents of the BVI will engage with the Commission, for it is an opportunity to shape the future of the Virgin Islands.
He stated “I hope everyone feels empowered to engage with the Commission. It will be your opportunity to shape the way things are done and help put things right for the next generation.”