The Auditor General Ms Sonia M. Webster, in her report on the BVI Airways’ taxpayers $7.2M deal, has made some more shocking revelations.
She noted on page 15 No. 78 that in July 2006, the BVI Airways Operator parties “incorporated a BVI limited company ‘Colchester Aviation Ltd’ which was owned 50\50 by Jerry Willoughby and Scott Weisman. The role of the BVI Company in the venture has not been made clear, as neither it nor BVI Airways made any public offering of shares in the BVI during the course of the venture.”

In 2006, the National Democratic Party (NDP) was in power [2003-2007] with Dr D. Orlando Smith as Chief Minister.

However, all through the 2015 agreement, the Operator parties promised to inject $6.0M into the project as the former Premier Dr D. Orlando Smith and his Cabinet agreed to $7.0M of taxpayers money to be applied to the project in exchange for direct flights between Miami, Florida and Beef Island, Virgin Islands.

Where is the BVI Airways Operator parties promised investment?

According to the Auditor General; however, on page 13 No. 79, “At the time the agreement was terminated, the $6.0 million private investment anticipated from the Operator parties never materialised, nor had the public offering to encourage BVI shareholders.”

Despite this, Government invested in the upgrade of Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, including “planned works for repaving the apron to ensure adequate parking, especially during the peak season.”

The report stated on page 17 No. 94: “In keeping with the agreement, the Customs Department was instructed to ensure that fuel surcharges and import duties were not applied to BVI Airways operations.”

Despite the huge investments by the BVI Airports Authority at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, “The upgraded facilities were never put to use by the airline,” according to the report on page 17 No. 95.

Locals must go; BVI Tourist Board, Immigration, Customs, BVI Airports Authority- BVI Airways

Another bombshell unearthed in the report is that the Operator parties of BVI Airways “continued to insist on other changes by the Airports Authority, the Tourist Board and Government departments, including, but not limited to, replacing the leadership of the Airport Authority, Customs, Immigration and the Tourist Board to accommodate their small (yet to be launched) private venture,” as per page 17 No. 95.

After the Dr Smith-led NDP administration was under pressure locally from the political Opposition and the press, they hired the law firm of Martin Kenny & Co Solicitors (MKS) to carry out an investigation. MKS “determined that the planes were resold to Tronosjet in Canada. One of the aircraft was subsequently acquired by Neptune Aviation in February 2018 and the other by Cobham Services in Australia in December 2018.” This is found on page 32 No. 191 of the report.

Project collapsed; NDP shamed

With egg on their faces the NDP regime “on 31 October 2017, issued notice to Bruce Bradley that failure to commence service by 30 November 2017 would render the Framework Agreement terminated. No services were commenced,” according to the report on page 32 No. 191.

Finally, it’s important to note that, according to Ms Webster on page 32 No. 197, “The Operator parties were required by the terms of the Framework Agreement to submit quarterly financial statements. This did not occur. The one set of statements received by the Government for the pre-operational period appears to be inflated and misleading. If accurate, the submitted statements show disproportionate spending on salaries and professional fees and indicate a misrepresentation of the information submitted to the Inland Revenue Department.”

The Auditor General concluded that “Notwithstanding, despite the Government’s investment of $7.2 million there is to date no accurate accounting of how the amounts were applied” as per page 32 No. 197.