WAPA: Inspector General Advances Audit Amid Fitch Ratings’ Withdrawal

In a decisive move towards transparency and accountability, the Office of the Inspector General, following discussions with Senator Kenneth Gittens, has initiated a comprehensive audit of the V.I. Water & Power Authority (WAPA). This critical examination, a directive of Act 8731, will scrutinize several pivotal aspects of WAPA’s operations. The focus areas include the VITOL propane contract, the intricacies of the electronic metering system, the terms of various leases, the transfer of WAPA equipment to the British Virgin Islands, and the troubling loss of over $2 million to an offshore account.

Senator Gittens, voicing significant concerns, underscored the importance of this audit: “Without a thorough understanding and accountability for what transpired, how can we safeguard WAPA from repeating these errors?” His statement highlights the necessity of this audit in providing a detailed insight into WAPA’s internal mechanisms and in ensuring accountability for previous decisions and actions.

Inspector General Delia Thomas has acknowledged a minor delay in the one-year timeline mandated by the Legislature for this audit. Initially vetoed by Governor Albert A. Bryan, Act 8731 was later enacted following an override by the Senators on June 14, 2023, thus mandating the start of the audit.

The Importance of the Audit in Light of Fitch Ratings’ Withdrawal

The imperative nature of this audit is further accentuated by the recent decision of Fitch Ratings to withdraw most of its ratings for WAPA’s bonds. This withdrawal, attributed to a lack of sufficient financial information and ongoing concerns about transparency, underscores the need for meticulous scrutiny. Fitch Ratings, a renowned credit rating agency, has ceased providing ratings for WAPA primarily due to the utility’s limited transparency and the non-availability of audited financial statements.

Highlighting the essential role of WAPA in the everyday lives of the territory’s residents, Senator Gittens called for genuine accountability and improved governance within the utility. He pointed to a persistent pattern of mismanagement that must be resolved for the utility’s prosperity and the overall well-being of the territory. This audit represents a significant step towards rectifying past issues and setting a course for a more accountable and transparent future for WAPA.