ESHS Wall Corruption Report now with Police - Gov Jaspert
The bombshell Special Report by AG Ms Sonia M. Webster—leaked to the press—detailed mismanagement of funds, un-vetted contractors and no value for money in the $1.6M wall built by Hon Walwyn.
Silence Broken
“I have not made a statement on the Special Report until now as the correct procedure as per the Audit Act 2003 is that the Report be laid before the House of Assembly,” the Governor noted in his statement on Friday, December 14, 2018.
Governor Jaspert through the release from the Government Information Service lashed out at Hon Walwyn for the leak and said he was “most disappointed” that the Report was publicised in the way it was, while pointing out that those in the highest level of Government ought to set the standard.
“I was most disappointed that the Report was publicised in this way. The people of the Virgin Islands should expect the highest standards of conduct of all those who serve them. Those at the highest level of Government set the standards for others,” he said.
“Although the Report was disclosed to the public in violation of the procedure specified in the Audit Act, it would not of course have been appropriate for me to comment at that point on the Report itself, prior to its presentation at the House of Assembly,” the Governor said in relation to the leak.
Hon Walwyn after leaking the AG’s report—through a hastily arranged press conference—later apologised, giving what many described as a 'half-baked' apology to Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) saying, “If the Premier thinks my actions were wrong then I trust him enough to make an apology.”
In an email from Governor Jaspert to Premier Smith, the Governor expressed his displeasure over what the Minister did and Dr Smith in an unannounced broadcast on a local radio station, stated that he does not support the Minister’s actions.
Investigation
“My predecessor had in 2017 sought advice as to whether the procedures for the procurement of goods and services as set out in the Protocols for Effective Financial Management, the Public Finance Management Act 2004 Act and the Public Finance Management Regulations 2005 had been correctly followed,” the Governor noted.
He said former Governor, John S. Duncan had further sought advice that if proper procedures had not been followed, what discrepancies and deviations from standard procedures occurred and what would be the significance.
Governor Jaspert noted, “The Auditor General’s Special Report into the Elmore Stoutt High School Wall Project which was submitted to me in August 2018, has now been laid before the House of Assembly in accordance with Section 20 of the Audit Act, 2003.”
“I would also like to reiterate that the Auditor General is an independent and constitutionally appointed position whose work is guided by the Audit Act of 2003,” he said.
Report now with Police
He said the special report addresses the concerns and contains a number of detailed recommendations on the procurement regulations and procedures applied on the project and also to the accountability for the project while noting that he is committed to transparency and good governance in the Virgin Islands.
“It is now important that due process is followed in dealing with the recommendations of the Report," the Governor said.
"To that end, these will now be taken forward with the appropriate Ministries and Agencies, including the Ministry of Finance and Deputy Governor’s Office and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. As the Report is now in the hands of these agencies, I will not comment further,” he noted.
The Governor further reiterated that he supports all those involved in ensuring that any issues raised in the report are addressed in the appropriate manner.
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28 Responses to “ESHS Wall Corruption Report now with Police - Gov Jaspert”
This is bulls*** governor!
Will the Wall-wyn or the Wall-lose?
Proof that contractors were real!!! Proof that contractors actually submitted a bid for the job! Proof that contractors hired were qualified for the job! And Proof that you paid them a full $50,000 and not just a mere $15,000 while $35,000 was pocketed! All because the hired contractor didn’t know how much the job was really worth!
Young people who continue to take bribes be careful as in time the one that bribed you will start singing like a canary and trust me, you will be the ones sitting at ballo while he is out here living it up with his rude J-mistress which continues to interfere with the wife!
Shame on you wall win!
You are not a good example for young people in every aspect!
LOL LOL LOL