Statutory Bodies struggling; Some may not be able to pay salaries
All Statutory Bodies have one main shareholder which is the Government of the Virgin Islands. It means for the most part, unless you are the Financial Services Commission, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Social Security Board or the BVI Electricity Corporation among others who are seen as self-sufficient, others have to be subsidised by Government through a quarterly subvention.
Funds depleted; hiring up
Other Statutory bodies like the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) started off around 2012 with over $15M in the bank, however, today they have less than $2 Million, according to reports reaching our newsroom.
It is also reported that between 2012 to 2015 the BVI Ports Authority saw approximately 30% increase in staff hiring. Today, the agency is reported to be having cash flow challenges in keeping its head above water, as it is seen as a revenue generating agency.
Others like the BVI Tourist Board and the H. L. Stoutt Community College depend almost entirely on Central Government for its normal subvention, which for the past years most often was either delayed or what was expected was not granted.
Last month it was reported that one Statutory Body- the BVI Health Services Authority- told some of its senior staff that it was having challenges meeting salaries, however, the salaries for May 15, 2016 have been paid.
Where will the money come from?
With many critics saying that the National Democratic Party (NDP) raided the Treasury, leaving the country broke to win the 2015 snap elections, it is unclear how many of the statutory bodies who depend on the central government for all its funding will survive.
In addition, the NDP Administration is about to embark on another loan for between US$150M to US$160M to fund the airport project.
It remains unclear how Government will navigate the serious financial challenges, along with the fallout from the so called ‘Panama papers leak.’
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36 Responses to “Statutory Bodies struggling; Some may not be able to pay salaries”
1. Have people pay for services provided – and all government employees with outstanding bills at these statutory bodies, deduct it from their salary.
2. FIRE employees who are not functional. A good set of them are only in the work place to mind others business, provide shitty services and complain about salary.
3. PUNISH GOVERNMENT MINISTERS who forces these HR departments to hire their STUPID family members who come on the job to smoke, sleep, and do nothing and still get pay. Then again I’ve never see anyone punish himself for doing wrong deeds.
Many of these statutory bodies that cannot support themselves need to be brought back under the central government where they have been in the first place. Save the tears that it will require additional ministries. The ministries will not be over worked. Their span of control is low as it is. Well, scratch the idea, for it will make matters worse under ministries. The BVI needs a radical change in its government structure . The elected members can be the policy makers and non elected be the administrators( experience and skilled professionals) that carry out the policies. Convert the current nebulous City Manager position into a Territory Manager(TM) with Assistant Territory Managers. The TM can report to the policy making body.
By the way, when was the last time, the territory had a Comprehensive Audited Financial Report conducted? And if none was done recently, why not? How can any agency, organization, ministry, institution......etc run effectively without a financial check up------AUDIT? Maintain good physical health require periodic complete physical.
Statutory bodies should be self supporting and if they cannot they need to be put directly under government control. Their operations should be evaluated by an independent agency and adjustments made to make them more efficient and effective. Let's us not pretend that we are bigger than we are. Everything that occurs in developed countries we cannot adopt wholesale. We must adapt them on a scale that suits our needs and situation.
I have been preaching d same ting u saying now FOR YEARS but nobody listening to we small ppl . Put d prisoners to WORK and cut back on stupid contracts ; let dem earn their vacation in balo .NOW WE ALL BAWLING