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Dr Sandra M. Besson Out! as Accountant General; No replacement named!

- former Accountant General demitted office on July 31,2015; Treasury Department is 'headless'
The Treasury Department of the Virgin Islands is currently operating without an Accountant General as Government is yet to name someone to the position left vacant by Dr Sandra M. Besson who tendered her resignation on December 2, 2014 and demitted office on July 31, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
Ms Laurel L. Smith is reported to be the most senior in the Treasury Department, however, it remains unclear if she has been given an acting appointment as Accountant General. Photo: VINO/File
Ms Laurel L. Smith is reported to be the most senior in the Treasury Department, however, it remains unclear if she has been given an acting appointment as Accountant General. Photo: VINO/File
Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, whose portfolio includes the Treasury Department, had said Dr Sandra M. Besson was leaving the post of Accountant General for 'personal reasons.'
Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, whose portfolio includes the Treasury Department, had said Dr Sandra M. Besson was leaving the post of Accountant General for 'personal reasons.'
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Treasury Department of the Virgin Islands is currently operating without a ‘head’ as Government is yet to name someone to the position left vacant by Dr Sandra M. Besson who tendered her resignation on December 2, 2014.

Former Accountant General Dr Besson left her post on July 31, 2015, according to Government Human Resources insiders, after tendering her resignation last year- a story first and accurately reported by this news site.

Weeks after our report, Minister of Finance Dr. The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, whose portfolio includes the Treasury Department, confirmed our story. He had said Dr Besson was leaving for “personal reasons.”

Meanwhile, according to our news room’s sources close to the National Democratic Party (NDP) regime, no one has been named to act as Accountant General. Ms Laurel L. Smith is reported to be the most senior in the Department, however, it remains unclear if she has been given an acting appointment.

Financial Secretary Mr Neil M. Smith did not respond to our queries.

The unsettled position!

Since the NDP took office in 2011 there have been several changes of Accountant Generals.  In fact, there have been four Accountant Generals in four years.

Mrs Kharid Fraser, wife of Third District Representative Honourable Julian Fraser RA, was removed from her post of Accountant General as soon as the NDP took office. Ms Anna Rabsatt was then named Acting Accountant General. However Ms Rabsatt was sent home under the Government programme of ‘take your vacation days or lose it’ and never returned to the post.

An Anguillan consultant assigned to the Treasury Department Kalleesha C. Mendie then became the new Acting Accountant General of the Virgin Islands.

In August 2013, however, Dr Sandra M. Besson was confirmed in the post of Accountant General of the territory before tendering her resignation on December 2, 2014.

Prior to the recent 2015 election campaign, Virgin Islands Party senior member Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) blasted the administration for the many Accountant Generals who had fled or were removed from office for political reasons.

“In three years, this Administration has had four Accountant Generals and a fifth is yet to be named. In any business where the Head Accountant flies the coop so often then something is drastically wrong with the financial management of the company,” Hon Fahie had said on January 24, 2015, during his delivery of his First District Annual Report at the Capoons Bay Recreational Grounds.

Treasury is open for business

When a senior NDP member was asked by this news site about reports that the Treasury is shut down and not issuing cheques or having challenges in meeting salaries the person flatly denied such reports. 

The source told our news room that everything is normal at the Treasury Department as cheques are being printed and salaries are being paid to all concerned.

12 Responses to “Dr Sandra M. Besson Out! as Accountant General; No replacement named!”

  • wize up (07/10/2015, 11:53) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    them need to pay people
  • shaw (07/10/2015, 11:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    look here for me
  • chad (07/10/2015, 13:26) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another one bites the dust!
  • tola (07/10/2015, 19:12) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am an ndp supporter give Laurel smith the position she is the fittest one for it .dpnt let gaskin do otherwise
    • The Auditor (07/10/2015, 20:59) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Instead of issuing her an appointment, she was transferred to Inland Revenue only to be sent back to the Treasury on the instructions of the Financial Secretary. To date she has not been appointed to act as the Accountant General in spite of the roll she plays in that Department. Why is the Deputy Governor taking a back seat on a matter of this nature? Is justice being meted out here or party politics standing in the way.
  • @NDP Supporter (07/10/2015, 20:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is she wid we. What happened to Anna R.
    • @@NDP Supporter (08/10/2015, 05:45) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      She doesn't have to be with WE; she only needs to do the job. This stupidness needs to stop. You all destroying people careers but the God doesn't sleep.
  • ccc (07/10/2015, 23:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The civil servant gone to the dogs
  • Yes (08/10/2015, 04:15) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    First ones to leave a sinking ship or a burning building is the rats. They did had five leave. Where $90 million in cash reserves the NDP bragged about before elections. I can't believe Tortola people so stupid. These dudes is criminals and everyone knows it. That's why they can't keep anyone in that position. As soon as they find out too much the boys tell them leave. They bleeding us dry friends. Let's take back our government now and not wait 4 years. These blood suckers got to go!
  • good luck (08/10/2015, 07:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Why would the Government put a spiteful, chip on shoulder in charge?



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