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by pltm
(PLTM) - Auditor General (AG) Sonia Webster said that she is still conducting an audit into the controversial BVI Airways deal.
When contacted this week, Webster did not divulge any further information, indicating that she could not give a time-frame as to when the audit will be concluded.
“It has started...But I cannot speak to that (likely to conclude) at the moment," Webster briefly said.
Government pumped $7.2M of tax payers’ money into the startup operations of the airline, which was aimed at making direct flights between the BVI and Miami, but it never took off.
Back in July, Governor Gus Jaspert disclosed that Webster had decided to commence the audit.
“The Auditor General is looking at it…BVI Airways – it’s a lot of money; and…there are separate issues that the Premier has talked about – approaches on the contracts, you know, having a look at that,” the Governor said.
Government backbencher in the House of Assembly, Hon. Archibald Christian had revealed that government was having difficulties locating officials from BVI Airways to recoup the $7.2M.
The Junior Minister of Tourism said that government should have invested that money into local airline, VI Airlink, which is owned by the Brathwaites.
"...You know if I knew what I know now, I would have taken that money and given it to the Brathwaites, because I know where I would find the Brathwaites. I don't know where I could find the people that have BVI Airways anymore," the government backbencher said.
He continued, "We are trying to locate them, trying to have a conversation with them; we are trying to get a report from them. We now have to consider legal action against them; that's most unfortunate."
Premier and Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith has remained silent on the issue during recent questions posed to him in the House of Assembly by the Opposition, maintaining that government is trying to recoup the money.
Opposition Leader, Hon. Andrew Fahie, who raised red flags about the agreement from the inception, said the deal was a scam.
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