Premier declines to disclose India mission cost

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has declined to disclose the total public cost of the BVI’s recent financial services and trade mission to India, saying the government would not provide a “running commentary” on its investment expenditure. During a press conference, Dr Wheatley was asked whether he would commit to publishing a breakdown of the money spent on flights, hotels, ground transportation, receptions and events. The request also covered expenditure by the BVI Hong Kong Office, BVI Finance and other government-funded bodies. “All overseas delegations undertaken by the government are designed to be fully cost-effective as part of our fiduciary duty to taxpayers,” Dr Wheatley stated. “We are not going to give a running commentary of the investment costs of running our territory and delivering growth,” he added.

The Premier said the India mission formed part of a wider strategy to diversify the territory’s economy, develop new partnerships and maintain the resilience of its financial services industry. “It represents an investment in the future that will deliver lasting benefits for all Virgin Islanders,” Dr Wheatley continued. When pressed on whether taxpayers deserved to know how their money had been spent, the Premier pointed to the proposed Freedom of Information legislation. “What I would say to you is that we are going to be clarifying for the public shortly what type of information should be public and what type of information should not be disclosed to the public through a Freedom of Information bill,” Dr Wheatley stated. He said the legislation should set the parameters for releasing information and improve transparency between the government, the public and the media. The BVI’s Freedom of Information legislation dates back to 2012,…