A leaked document bearing Premier Andrew Fahie’s apparent signature has revealed that the premier was directly at the helm of the recent sacking of two senior BVI Health Services Authority staff members following serious allegations of fraud and gross misconduct.
The discovery of the leaked document which also bears the official logo of the Office of the Premier comes after the premier recently denied having knowledge of details relating to the incident.
According to the document which was addressed to the Minister for Health and Social Development Carvin Malone, the premier’s decision to sack the two senior officials, stems from compelling allegations of fraud and gross misconduct that were allegedly reported in an October 2021 Preliminary Audit Report on the BVIHSA’s payroll.
In December 2021, the two officials were placed on administrative leave with full pay pending the outcome of a forensic audit, which was also instructed by the premier.
In addition, the premier also instructed that action be taken to immediately secure all documents and evidence from being tampered with or destroyed.
He said, “This action should include securing the offices and workspaces of the officers who are to be placed on administrative leave, and ensuring that those persons are not allowed to enter the building without a security escort, and in such instance, only to collect personal property.”
Premier extremely troubled by allegations
In the document which was dated December 3rd, the premier wrote that he was extremely troubled by the findings of the report and to the discovery that the Internal Auditor who conducted the report, was placed on administrative leave by the administrative team of the BVIHSA following the release of her report.
The premier said, “I am extremely disturbed by the findings and other contents of the report, especially as these relate to alleged findings of gross misconduct and fraud by senior officials of the BVIHSA and other employees, as well as the strong possibility that the scope of this alleged maladministration and fraud may be much wider than what the Internal Auditor has been able to detect in her limited investigations.”
I am duty bound by good governance
In the letter, the premier further indicated that the nature of the allegations gave him no other choice but to act in the name of good and responsible governance.
He therefore instructed Minister Malone that “the Chairman and Board of the BVIHSA be directed to immediately commence a Forensic Audit into the finances and expenditures of the BVIHSA, inclusive of but not limited to the payroll system, procurement practices and financial management systems.”
The premier said this decision is to determine the veracity of the findings of the audit report and to ensure that any systemic problems are identified for treatment as the report suggested may exist.
Immediately reinstate the Internal Auditor
The leader of government business also instructed the minister to have the Chairman and the Board of the Health Services Authority immediately reinstate the Internal Auditor to her job, and have her suspension expunged.
Report to be forwarded
Premier Fahie warned that if his instructions were not implemented, he would be compelled to forward the Preliminary Audit Report to the Commissioner of Police and to call for a criminal investigation into the alleged matters.
The leaked letter was also copied to the Financial Secretary, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and to the Chairman of the Board of the BVIHSA.
When 284News contacted Premier Fahie for a comment on the matter late Wednesday, he said he would respond on the subject matter the following day.
There was no other comment received by the premier up until the publication of this news article.