Senate Vice President Kenneth L. Gittens announced today that he has formally requested an immediate status update from the Office of the Virgin Islands Inspector General regarding the long-awaited forensic financial audit of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA), authorized under Act #8731.
Act #8731, sponsored by Senator Gittens and enacted following the Legislature’s override of a gubernatorial veto, appropriated $250,000 for an independent forensic audit of WAPA. The legislation was intended to provide transparency, accountability, and a comprehensive examination of the Authority’s financial operations and management practices.
Three years after the enactment of the law, the audit has yet to be completed and delivered to the Legislature.
The request comes as residents throughout the Territory, particularly in the St. Thomas-St. John District, continue to endure prolonged and recurring power outages that have left families and businesses struggling with significant hardships.
“The frustration being expressed by residents today is justified, and I share that frustration,” Senator Gittens said. “Over the past several days, families have lost hundreds of dollars in groceries, residents have worried about preserving life-sustaining medications, businesses have suffered interruptions, and countless households have experienced damage to appliances and electronics because of unstable power service. We definitely deserve better!”Senator Gittens said he vehemently disagreed with WAPA’s statements today that the current situation in the St. Thomas-St. John district was “not an emergency”.
He emphasized that while utility challenges can occur anywhere, the frequency and severity of outages experienced in recent years have eroded public confidence and heightened the need for transparency and accountability.
“People are tired of excuses. They want answers, and they deserve answers,” Senator Gittens stated. “That is precisely why the Legislature authorized and funded this forensic audit. The purpose was to obtain an independent assessment of WAPA’s operations, financial management, and decision-making processes so that policymakers and the public can fully understand what has contributed to the Authority’s longstanding challenges.”
In his letter to Inspector General Delia Thomas, Senator Gittens requested a detailed status report on the audit, an explanation of any factors contributing to delays, an estimate of the remaining work, and an anticipated timeline for completion.
“The audit was never intended to sit on a shelf unfinished,” Senator Gittens said. “The Legislature invested public funds in this effort because Virgin Islanders deserve transparency. While I respect the complexity of forensic audits, three years is a significant period of time, and the public has a right to know where the process stands and when the findings will be released.”
Senator Gittens stressed that his request is not directed at any individual employee or department but is part of the Legislature’s ongoing responsibility to ensure accountability and good governance.
“At this point, we need facts, not speculation,” he said. “The findings of this audit may help identify operational weaknesses, management failures, systemic challenges, or other factors that have impacted WAPA’s ability to deliver reliable service. Whatever those findings may be, the people of this Territory deserve to know the truth.”
The Senate Vice President also pledged to continue pursuing legislative oversight and reforms aimed at improving utility reliability and protecting consumers.
“Reliable electricity is not a luxury – it is an essential service,” Senator Gittens concluded. “Our residents should not have to wonder whether they will have power when they return home, whether their food will spoil, or whether critical medications will remain safe. The people of the Virgin Islands have waited long enough for answers, and I will continue to press for the transparency and accountability they deserve.”
