Delivering an update on the system on the Honestly Speaking Radio Programme on ZBVI 780AM on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, Hon Wheatley said training is currently being held for immigration officers in preparation for the new system.

He said a test-run for the new system will take place ‘around November 15’.

“It’s a very good system, it’s going to capture the information, and it can store so we can better manage the whole immigration situation. It’s supposed to capture the information even before the customers gets there because there is a lot of paperwork and a lot of time,” he remarked.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie , second from right, and Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley , right, signs the contract for the state-of-the-art border management system with Canadian Bank Note (CBN) Ltd on December 2, 2019. Sitting second from left is CBN’s Vice President of Business Development International, Mr Mark Houlton.

Less human contact = Less corruption

The Minister added that the system reduces human contact.

"So the less human contact you have, the less the corruption would be. Once we start automating certain systems, it removes the corruption, or it minimises the corruption automatically,” he added.

Minister Wheatley also mentioned that upon competition, there would be greater dialogue between law enforcement agencies in the Virgin Islands.

He also informed that the consultants tasked with the undertaking were unable to be in the territory because of the coronavirus pandemic, "but they will be here soon to continue their work.”

The said state of the art Immigration Border Management System is costing the Andrew A. Fahie-led government $6.4 million.