The House of Assembly has opened a debate on a Motion to reprimand Governor Augustus Jaspert over what legislators determine was an obstruction of the Auditor General’s Special report into the failed BVI Airways deal.
The Motion was moved by Third District Representative, Julian Fraser and seconded by Second District Representative, Melville ‘Mitch’ Turnbull.
In essence, the Motion seeks to reprimand the Governor for violating Section 20 (2) of the Audit Act 2003; and obstructing the duties of the House of Assembly under Section 47 (3) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007.
Fraser in presenting the Motion stated that Section 20, Sub-section (1) of the Virgin Islands Audit Act 2003, provides that the Auditor General may prepare and submit a Special Report to the Governor if he is satisfied that there is a matter that should be brought to the attention of the Governor.
The Third District Representative said, “In the case of the December 7th 2015 Agreement between Castleton Holdings LLC, Colchester Aviation LLC, BVI Airways; and the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Auditor General has become satisfied that there was a matter to be brought to the Governor’s attention.”
He pointed out in the Motion that the Auditor General has prepared such Special Report and has, at or around January, 27th 2020 submitted it to the Governor.
According to Fraser, Section 20, Sub-section (2) of the Virgin Islands Audit Act 2003, provides that The Governor shall, within three months of the receipt of the Special Report, cause the report to be laid on the Table of The House of Assembly.
Fraser stated that the Special Report of the Auditor General is being tabled in the House today May 28th 2020, a full month and one day past the statutory deadline.
“There is substantial documented evidence that the House of Assembly has attached tremendous significance to this Report in its Constitutional responsibility to hold the executive accountable and transparent in its dealings with this agreement which evidently has gone bad,” Fraser stated.
He noted that the Governor appeared to have acted with neither regards for the rule of law, nor the desires of the House of Assembly.
The Motion is currently being debated and further updates will be provided.
(Virgin Islands Platinum News)
