nine executive departments except for independent bodies whose existence may be
required by Federal law for participation in Federal programs. The head of each
executive department shall be designated as the Commissioner thereof, and the
Commissioner of Finance shall be bonded. No other department, bureau, independent
board, agency, authority, commission, or other instrumentality shall be created,
organized, or established by the Governor or the legislature, without the prior approval
of the Secretary of the Interior, unless required by Federal law for participation in
Federal programs.

 {Changes after examination from time to time)

 (b) The Governor shall, from time to time, after complying with the provisions of
subsection (a) of this section, examine the organization of the executive branch of the
government of the Virgin Islands, and shall make such changes therein, subject to the
approval of the legislature, not inconsistent with this Act, as he determines are
necessary to promote effective management and to execute faithfully the purposes of
this Act and the laws of the Virgin Islands.

(Appointment of department heads; tenure; removal; powers and duties)

 (c) The heads of the executive departments created by this Act shall be
appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the legislature. Each shall
hold office during the continuance in office of the Governor by whom he is appointed
and until his successor is appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed by the
Governor. Each shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by the
legislature. **


 17. (Government Comptroller-Appointment, compensation, tenure, and
 removal; reappointment.

 (a) The Secretary of the Interior shall appoint a government comptroller who
shall receive a salary of not to exceed $12,500 per annum. The government
comptroller shall hold office for a term of ten years and until his successor is appointed
and qualified unless sooner removed by the Secretary of the Interior for cause. The
government comptroller shall not be eligible for reappointment.

 {Audit and settlement of accounts, claims, funds, and expenditures)

 (b) The government comptroller shall audit and settle all accounts and claims
 pertaining to the revenues and receipts from whatever source of the government of the
 Virgin Islands and of funds derived from bond issues; and he shall audit and settle, in
 accordance with law and administrative regulations, all expenditures of funds and
 property pertaining to the government of the Virgin Islands including those pertaining
 to trust funds held by the government of the Virgin Islands.