His Excellency Daniel Pruce

Governor of the Virgin Islands

Government House

Road Town, Tortola

Virgin Islands

Dear Governor Pruce,

I write to you not only as an Independent At-Large candidate in the upcoming General Election, but more importantly as a concerned Virgin Islander who believes our democracy is strengthened when those entrusted with public office are held to the highest standards of accountability, transparency and integrity.

Today, I respectfully but firmly call upon you, in your capacity as Governor of the Virgin Islands, to exercise your constitutional responsibilities and initiate an independent Commission of Inquiry into the Bank of Asia matter, the Government’s investment in Delta Capital, and the wider management of public funds.

This request is not made lightly.

Our Territory has already endured one Commission of Inquiry that exposed deep and systemic failures in governance, accountability, financial management and public administration. The recommendations that followed were intended to restore public confidence and ensure that the mistakes of the past would never be repeated.

Yet only a few years later, the people of the Virgin Islands again find themselves asking fundamental questions about the stewardship of their money.

Questions surrounding the placement of Government funds with Bank of Asia remain unresolved. Questions surrounding the Government’s investment in Delta Capital continue to attract public concern. Questions regarding the roles and responsibilities of senior public officials have not been satisfactorily answered.

The explanations provided thus far have only deepened public unease.

The public has been told that former Accountant General Arnold Ainsley authorised the placement of Government funds. We have heard repeated public statements from Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley indicating that he was unaware of how these events occurred. We have heard limited public explanation from Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett. Questions have also been raised regarding the role of former Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Financial Services, Lorna Smith.

Governor, these matters cannot simply be reduced to the actions of one individual.

Public funds do not move without systems of governance. They move through approvals, financial controls, Treasury procedures, risk assessments, oversight mechanisms and lines of ministerial responsibility.

No Accountant General operates in isolation.

If proper systems existed, the public deserves to know whether they were followed.

If they were not followed, the public deserves to know why.

If warning signs existed, the public deserves to know who received them and what action was taken.

If decisions were made appropriately, an independent inquiry will confirm that.

If mistakes were made, they must be acknowledged and corrected.

If wrongdoing occurred, those responsible must be held accountable.

I am not asking you to presume guilt.

I am asking you to ensure that the truth is established through an independent process that commands the confidence of the people.

I further believe that the Commission’s Terms of Reference should include:

• The placement of Government funds with Bank of Asia.
• The Government’s investment in Delta Capital.
• The role and responsibilities of all relevant public officials involved in these matters.
• The adequacy of Government’s financial governance and risk management systems.
• Compliance with Treasury procedures, financial regulations and statutory obligations.
• Whether any warnings, concerns or professional advice were overlooked or disregarded.
• Whether any individual or entity directly or indirectly benefited from these decisions.
• Whether there are any links, common decision-makers, overlapping advisers or systemic governance failures connecting the Bank of Asia and Delta Capital matters.
• Recommendations for legislative and institutional reforms to safeguard public funds.

To be absolutely clear, I make no allegation that any individual has acted unlawfully. That determination can only be made through evidence gathered independently and examined fairly.

However, what is beyond dispute is that public confidence has been shaken.

Confidence cannot be restored through internal investigations alone.

Government cannot continue investigating Government.

The people deserve an independent process with the legal authority to compel witnesses, require the production of documents, examine evidence under oath and establish a complete and transparent record of events.

Governor, you have consistently spoken about your commitment to good governance, accountability, transparency and the rule of law. Those principles are tested not when Government is functioning comfortably, but when serious questions arise about the management of the people’s money.

This is one of those moments.

History will judge not only those who made these decisions, but also those who had the authority to ensure they were independently examined.

The people of the Virgin Islands are not asking for political speeches.

They are asking for facts.

They are not asking for speculation.

They are asking for evidence.

They are not asking for rumours.

They are asking for accountability.

Most importantly, they are asking that those entrusted with safeguarding public funds be held to the highest standards expected in any modern democracy.

I therefore respectfully urge you to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry without delay.

If there is nothing to hide, then there should be nothing to fear from an open, transparent and impartial examination of the facts.

The integrity of our public institutions, the confidence of our people and the future of good governance in the Virgin Islands depend upon it.

Respectfully,

Rosemary Rosan

Independent At-Large Candidate

Virgin Islands