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Former AG Baba F. Aziz to write policy on use of Ministers' discretionary powers
The Premier was at the time speaking in an interview with the acting Director of Communications Karia J. Christopher on May 23, 2024, on the need to ensure there are always checks and balances.
Adherence to Good Governance
“Persons who have authority always have to have a balance between ensuring that you have good governance, you have transparency, and you have adherence to the rule of law and of course, that you are transparent in your dealings,” he said.
The Premier added, “That has to be balanced with the need to be efficient and effective, and when you have clear policies and clear guidelines they assist in making the process more efficient and more effective because they're very clear expectations and as it pertains to the exercise of discretion,” he said.
In the VI, ministers of government hold a certain amount of power to bypass processes and execute decisions at their discretion; however, the Premier said cutting through processes can often cause challenges.
The Premier added that such moves could therefore harm the confidence of the people who have elected and put confidence in their leaders, therefore it remains important to ensure while there is speed and efficiency in governance, there are measures in place to protect the public if someone seeks to abuse that discretion.
Baba F. Aziz to write guidance policy
The Premier said the government has therefore asked a former Attorney General, Mr Baba F. Aziz, to write a policy that will help provide guidance for those in authority in the exercise of their discretionary powers.
Dr Wheatley said the policy would be useful to avoid being challenged through judicial review and to be able to render the best result possible after having a proper process in place.
Baba F. Aziz
Effective February 10, 2015, Mr Aziz, a native of Ghana, was appointed to the post of Attorney General in the Attorney General's Chambers under the then NDP government, according to the Government Information Service (GIS). Amongst his various roles, he served as the Chief Legal Advisor to the Government as established by the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.
He also served in an advisory role as a member of Cabinet, the National Security Council, the House of Assembly and the prerogative of Mercy Committee as well as being responsible for managing the administration and activities of the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Indigenous Virgin Islander, Ms Dawn J. Smith was appointed to the seat of Attorney General in the Virgin Islands (VI), effective October 1, 2020, replacing Mr Aziz.
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