STANDING PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON THE EFFICIENCY OF CAYMAN AIRWAYS

GEORGE TOWN, 3rd June 2024

The Standing Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a public hearing on Thursday, 6th June 2024 starting at 10:00 a.m. in order to further examine the Auditor General’s performance report, “Efficiency and Effectiveness of Cayman Airways Limited (March 2024)”.

Members of the PAC reviewed and discussed the Auditor General’s report during the Committee’s regular administrative meetings on 14th March and 30th May, and agreed to hold a public hearing to further investigate elements of the report.

Mr. Fabian Whorms will attend as a witness in his capacity as the President & Chief Executive Officer, Cayman Airways Limited. Following Mr. Whorms’ session with the Committee will be Dr. John-Paul Clark, Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Stran Bodden, Chief Officer for the Ministry of Tourism & Ports.

In addition to auditing the financial statements of each public entities, the Auditor General publishes several reports each year that look at the performance of such entities, including Statutory Authorities and Government Companies (SAGCs) in accordance with Section 114 of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009.

In this latest performance report, which is available on the website of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), the Auditor General makes 14 recommendations on Cayman Airways Limited’s funding model, financial and non-financial performance, strategic direction, governance, and workforce planning and management.

The report serves partially as a follow-up to the recommendations made by the Auditor General in its 2017 report, “Governance in Aviation Bodies: Summary of Key Findings (July 2017)”, and its December 2013 reports, “The Accountability of Statutory Authorities and Government Companies (December 2013)” and “Governance in Aviation Bodies: Summary of Key Findings (December 2013)”.

In its 2014 report on the Auditor General’s reports, the PAC at the time endorsed all of the Auditor General’s recommendations to the Government and its authorities and companies, and made two additional recommendations on training and performance management. The Committee’s 2017 report also endorsed the recommendations made by the Auditor General.

In its upcoming hearing, the Members of the PAC will question the three witnesses on the contents of the Auditor General’s report in accordance with Parliament Standing Order 77(4) and Section 87(1) of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009, legislation that empowers the PAC with the responsibility to examine the accounts and financial dealings of all authorities and Government-owned companies.

Following the hearing, the PAC will prepare its own report to accompany the Auditor General’s report. The Committee may make additional recommendations to the Government or the Cayman Airways Ltd. Board pursuant to Standing Order 77(5).

The current Members of the Public Accounts Committee are:

• Hon. Roy McTaggart, JP, MP: Chair
• Hon. Heather Bodden, OCI, Cert. Hon., JP, MP: Member
• Ms. Barbara Conolly, NP, JP, MP: Member
• Mr. Joseph Hew, MP: Member
• Hon. Dr. W. McKeeva Bush, JP, MP: Member
• Mr. Bernie Bush, MP: Member

The public can watch the proceedings live at the House of Parliament in George Town with proper attire and after signing-in with security personnel. The proceedings can also be seen live on the Cayman Islands Government’s YouTube channel, on CIGTV, and on Breeze 105.3FM.

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