“To take a number of examples: the Audit Act has been amended to make failure to cooperate with, or impede, the work of the Auditor General a criminal offense; the recommended Police investigations are underway; the Auditor General is conducting the recommended audits,” he said in a statement released on October 19, 2022.

He also pointed to the responsibility for assistance grants being transferred to the Social Development Department with a review of the welfare benefits and grants system now taking place with the support of UNICEF.

The Review also raised some concerns in particular areas, including the continued use of tender waivers and on making the Register of Interests for members of the House of Assembly more openly available.

Governor Rankin said in Framework document, it was agreed that Cabinet documents relating to tender waivers should be published.

Publishing of tender waivers

“The CoI found that there was no open tender in two-thirds of all contracts valued over $100,000 between January 2019 and April 2021. This, combined with contract splitting into petty contracts, was a disregard for good governance, transparency and accountability,” he said.

He said they are why in the Framework document, it was agreed that Cabinet documents relating to tender waivers should be published.

“Unfortunately such waivers continue to come forward to Cabinet. I recognize that many of these to date have been legacy issues arising from the practices of the previous administration but it remains important that we avoid tender waivers as much as possible and that the commitment to publication is kept,” the Governor said.