Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said forty-five out of the forty-eight or 94% of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations have been completed to date. Photo: Facebook/Government of the Virgin Islands

Governor Daniel Pruce joined Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) for a press conference on August 30, 2024. Photo: Facebook/Government of the Virgin Islands

Premier Wheatley gave the status update during a joint press conference with Governor Daniel Pruce on Friday, August 30, 2024, where it was announced that the August 31, 2024 deadline for completion of the CoI Recommendations would not be met.

While the deadline was missed, Premier Wheatley said he is still proud of the excellent progress made thus far.

The Premier said that the two remaining recmmendations require legislation already introduced in the House of Assembly (HoA) and are expected to have final readings by September 6, 2024.

He explained, “So, Government work on the 48 COI Recommendation would be completed by 6 September 2024 or one week beyond the agreed deadline of 31st August and the Recommendations initiated by Government will be completed within one month of the deadline.”

We have done well

Despite the circumstances, including disruptions caused by Tropical Storm Ernesto, Premier Wheatley said the government has done well and a clear path to fully completing the CoI recommendations can be seen.

In the circumstances, particularly despite the disruption caused by Tropical Storm Ernesto in which the entirety of government was involved, I think we have done well and see a clear path to fully completing the COI Recommendations.

Bills must be assented to by Governor

Premier Wheatley said the Bills passed in the HoA must be assented to by the Governor before becoming law.

“This is not factored into the statistics I have cited above as elected officials do not have control of that process. Certainly, there will be cases where there will be delays in assenting to Bills and in those circumstances, we must consider the reason, and this may require further actions on both sides,” he said.

Premier Wheatley thanked those in the public service for their support, hard work and dedication in ensuring the CoI recommendations are completed.