Premier: Compliance Lapses May Be Widespread
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has acknowledged that failures to follow laws, regulations and government policies may not be limited to the Ministry of Finance, and could exist across the public service. The admission follows scrutiny of procedural weaknesses after a $2.5 million investment lost to Jamaica-based Delta Capital; the government says it has adopted a Cabinet-approved investment strategy and can direct internal audits to check other ministries.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has warned that lapses in following laws, regulations and government policies may be present across the British Virgin Islands public service, not just within the Ministry of Finance. Speaking at a recent press conference about weaknesses in government financial controls, Dr Wheatley said investigators had identified shortcomings in the Finance Ministry after an investment loss, but cautioned that similar procedural failures could be found elsewhere. "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," he said.
The Premier’s remarks come in the wake of questions about procedural failures surrounding government investments, including a reported $2.5 million lost to Jamaica-based Delta Capital. Dr Wheatley said the Cabinet has adopted an investment strategy to address gaps identified within the Finance Ministry, and that public officers are expected to comply with the new policy.
When asked whether the government had proactively audited other ministries and departments for similar weaknesses, the Premier pointed to existing oversight mechanisms: regular reporting and budgeting processes, strengthened oversight of statutory boards, and the work of the Internal Audit Department.
He acknowledged, however, that "sometimes, unfortunately, what brings some of the lapses to our attention are actual incidents which take place." Dr Wheatley stressed that responsibility for ensuring compliance rests with ministers and senior public officers. "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," he said.
He added that the Internal Audit Department can be directed to examine individual ministries or departments to measure compliance with government obligations and policies. The government has also signalled intention to be more proactive in enforcing ministerial approvals and administrative procedures.
For BVI residents, the Premier’s admission highlights potential risks to public finances and the importance of robust governance across all ministries. Officials say the Cabinet-approved investment strategy and existing audit mechanisms are intended to reduce future exposure, while placing accountability on ministers and senior civil servants to detect and correct breaches before they lead to loss.
The government has not outlined a timetable for wider, targeted compliance reviews, but indicated it will continue to use internal audits and other oversight tools to strengthen adherence to laws and policies across the public service.
Primary source: BVI News