Senate President Novelle E. Francis, Jr.called a Committee of the Whole August 5, for fact-finding on the contracts recently awarded by the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority and the Department of Health. According to Francis, the public deserves a true accounting of the contracting and procurement process that led to the award of the contracts in question he also plans to delve into contracts reportedly granted under exigency circumstances.,” Francis said. “The territory has come under intense criticism time and time again for our mishandling of public funds – especially those awarded by the federal government. The Legislature has a responsibility to ensure that our funds are being managed in a way that is above reproach, especially at a time when our economic challenges demand that we stretch every dollar as far as possible to meet the needs of our community.”
Governor Bryan said that the bid process between Avera and the Department of Health followed the proper process.