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May 9, 2007
deJongh meets with heads of the semi-autonomous agencies and instrumentalities of government Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. convened a meeting this week with the leaders and board chairpersons of the semi-autonomous agencies of the government in a move to allow the administration to hear first-hand of their priority areas over the next twelve months. Agencies represented included: Territorial Hospitals; Port Authority; Housing Finance Authority; University of the Virgin Islands; The West Indian Company, Ltd.; Waste Management Authority; Government Employees Retirement System; Water and Power Authority; and Economic Development Authority. deJongh said the meeting facilitated the formalizing of a relationship between the agencies and the central government. “We wanted to hear about their priorities and direction for the next year. It also allowed me to convey the administration’s posture of maintaining and open communication line between their agencies and Government House,” deJongh added. “It’s not only when we are in crisis should we communicate, but throughout the year. We should be in touch and in some cases, allowing the central government to assist as needed.” Priorities identified include: VIPA’s request for increased government compliance in terms of the closure of the Anguilla landfill to UVI’s request for local government funding for additional dormitory space on the St. Thomas campus. Hospital officials spoke about funding to provide quality patient care while continued low to moderate income quality housing remaining available to the public was a top issue for the Housing Finance Authority. WTJX TV Channel 12 director spoke about the PBS station’s 35 anniversary this year and the WMA leadership team spoke about improvements being made on both the wastewater and solid waste management fronts. Several representatives cited the need for vacancies on board and commissions to be filled. GERS officials told deJongh that their greatest challenge is the unfunded liability which tops $1.3 billion. The governor assured Acting GERS Administrator Joanne Barry and Board Chairman Vincent Liger that by the submission of the Fiscal Year 2008 budget, the administration would present a formula to address the unfunded liability and increase employer contributions to the GERS. Officials of WAPA cited the ongoing energy crisis and the escalating costs of electricity as their number one priority. There was also a discussion about the amount of money the Virgin Islands Government owes WAPA. deJongh said he intends to hold two such meetings each year, the next was tentatively set for November. |
