64 Unsettled Vendor Debts Pile Up for Virgin Islands National Guard

During budget hearings, the spotlight falls on VING's failure to clear payments, affecting 64 vendors

The list of government entities with substantial debts owed to external vendors continues to grow. On Tuesday, members of the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance were startled to learn that the Virgin Islands National Guard, through the Office of the Adjutant General, owes 64 vendors.‌

The Office's executive director, Nikita Ward, who revealed the long list of unpaid vendors, was however unable to inform legislators of the aggregate amount of debt. The news prompted a series of questions from Senator Novelle Francis, including whether they had made the payment requests through the Department of Finance, and if the office was “keeping those vendors updated in terms of the monies owed to them.”

The response provided by Ms. Ward was the same explanation offered by numerous agencies who have already appeared before the committee to defend their FY2025 budget requests. “The payments are approved, however, we're just awaiting check payment from the Department of Finance,” said Ms. Ward. Nonetheless, she assured the concerned senators that the office is “collaborating with the Department of Finance to ensure these vendors are being paid as the disbursements occur.”