According to the Cabinet post-meeting statement released today, March 25, 2021, Cabinet on March 17, 2021, decided that “exceptional approval be granted to waive the tender process to award a new contract to Wendell M. Gaskin, CFE for consultancy services in the amount one hundred and eight thousand dollars ($108,000) for 12 months.”

Gaskin to assist with annual audited financial statements

The statement added that the contract is to provide support to the Ministry of Finance for consultancy services; to assist government with its constitutional obligation to have current annual audited financial statements; to provide a comprehensive analysis of Government's expenditure, and to make recommendations on how to bring greater efficiency in the day-to-day operations.

His Excellency, the Governor Mr John J. Rankin, CMG, chaired the Meeting held at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room. All Members were present.

Mr Gaskin, a businessman with over 30 years experience in the Virgin Islands Government and a background in accounting, had moved to St Thomas, United States Virgin Islands (USVI) after his Civil Service retirement, where he worked for former Governor, Kenneth E. Mapp.

He also briefly served as Chairman of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA).

Mr Gaskin is a Belonger who is originally from St Kitts & Nevis.