The recent release of the COVID-19 Assistance Grants Audit Report has exposed a major scandal involving incarcerated mother-son duo Oleanvine and Kadeem Maynard.
According to the report, the Maynards were among the recipients of excess funds under the
COVID-19 Assistance Grants Programme, which was administered by the BVI government three years ago.
Oleanvine received $8,000 for home repairs, which was $3,000 more than the $5,000 threshold set by the programme.
Kadeem received a total of $17,726 under two separate
COVID stimulus programmes, despite the guidelines stating that excess funds should be approved by the financial secretary.
The report also found that former Premier Andrew
Fahie, a friend of Oleanvine's, approved her grant application despite the guidelines stating that excess funds should be approved by the financial secretary.
The report indicates that there were several instances of mismanagement and non-compliance with the guidelines in the administration of the
COVID-19 Assistance Grants Programme.
For example, the applications and related documents for the grants did not bear any form of approval from the financial secretary, as required by the guidelines.
Additionally, elected leaders did not take the necessary steps to prevent duplication of requests, leading to the distribution of funds to individuals who may not have met the eligibility criteria.
The Auditor General has recommended that the management of all assistance grants be placed under the remit of the Social Development Department to ensure that future grant programmes are managed in a transparent and accountable manner.
The report has sparked outrage among many residents who have been calling for accountability and transparency in the management of government funds.
The scandal has also brought attention to the need for stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent the mismanagement of public funds in the future.