Permanent Secretary Joseph Smith-Abbott has finally confirmed that the 2024 Festival and Affairs Report has been prepared and submitted to the House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has acknowledged the importance of providing comprehensive updates on tourism and cultural activities and responding to a reporter’s query about the outstanding reports. Photo: VINO

“The report for 2024 was prepared and presented to the House of Assembly last year,” PS Smith-Abbott disclosed, conceding, “...it should be made public at some point shortly.”

He gave the disclosure, during a press engagement on January 23, 2025, with Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who both addressed several key topics, including the long-anticipated Festival and Affairs Reports and divulged the information after being repeatedly grilled by media operatives.

The reports have faced delays in publication, sparking questions from the media and general public about transparency and accountability.

During the briefing, Dr Wheatley acknowledged the importance of providing comprehensive updates on tourism and cultural activities and responding to a reporter’s query about the outstanding reports, lamented, “...we still expect the Tourist Board, in coordination with the Director of Communications, to deliver a proper report on the activities of 2024; This will include a summary of the year and an outlook for 2025.”

Outstanding Payment owed to Vendors!

Pressed about whether payments to vendors from previous festivals were still outstanding, Dr Wheatley deferred, saying, “I can’t speak to that; It would be best if, as early as possible, we get the Tourist Board and the requisite persons who can answer those kinds of detailed questions.”

Meanwhile, asked about the status of the 2023 report, PS Smith-Abbott was less certain but pledged to follow up.

 “I don’t want to take a guess or a chance; I promise to inquire about that, but I can confirm that 2024 has been completed. It’s (2023 report)  mostly prepared, and I’ll make sure everything is in order.”

The delayed publication of the reports has been a contentious issue, with escalating calls for greater transparency of the financial and operational aspects of the Territory’s festivals.