Gov Jaspert: ‘There’s probably more rumours than people’ in VI
Governor Jaspert was at the time explaining to members of the media on Friday, November 1, 2019, some of the reasons why residents seek his office for recourse.
“We get a lot of issues relating to prison matters, appeals from prisoners in various ways and those things come to me to consider and depending on what the issue is I draw advice from the parole board or various committees of support,” he said.
“I pick up a lot of gossip. In the BVI, for a small population, I think there is probably more rumours than people,” he said with a hearty chuckle.
His Excellency said many of the other complaints relate to the type of service that residents receive, “in terms of permits and licenses and various things.”
Jaspert wants integrity commission
Meanwhile, Governor Jaspert said it is essential that institutions such as the Integrity Commission are implemented, as well as a ministerial code.
He explained that the Deputy Governor’s Office mapped out the other UK Overseas Territories (OT’s) and the Virgin Islands lack in the areas as mentioned earlier.
“This is why we are keen to bring forward the proposals that will bring us up to the same level, to have a ministerial code, to have an Integrity Commission so that it’s not the Governor who has the pressure, that there is an independent body who can go an investigate and properly draw up the conclusions around it.”
He noted, “But for me, the important thing is the institutions working correctly, and the ministries are able to respond quickly.”
20 Responses to “Gov Jaspert: ‘There’s probably more rumours than people’ in VI”
This Governor is sh@dy lmao, I love it
This guy spends all day blogging bad on the present government while ignoring the past illegal acts of the past government.
The issue could be that residents are not liking the decisions they are getting from governmental institutions that are consistent with policy and are seeking redress from the Guv. Or the rendered decisions are not consistent with policy(s) and residents are seeking redress from the Guv. Governing in the VI is a two lane process. The Crown has responsibility for external affairs, defense, civil service, internal security, RVIPF, shared responsibility for HMP with local government, and the courts; local government is responsibility for the rest. Incidently, local taxpayers pay for the some of Crown responsibilities. The system is flawed with the Crown/Guv having too much power. Constitutional reform needed.
But Doberman, if you think BVIslanders ought to get a vote in the UK elections, you must surely also agree that British people resident here in BVI get a vote in BVI elections too? Fair's fair, right?
"The Governor is the representative of Her Majesty The Queen in a British Overseas Territory. The Governor acts as the de facto head of state and is usually responsible for appointing the head of government, and senior political positions in the territory. The Governor is also responsible for liaising with the UK Government, and carrying out any ceremonial duties."
You know when he hands out instruments of appointment to elected leaders? That's him carrying out his role.
Note also that he is a REPRESENTATIVE OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN and serves at Her Majesty's pleasure. This is note a role bestowed on him by the local electorate; it is emblematic of the FACT that the Virgin Islands has Her Majesty as Head of State. Her representative reflects Her Majesty. There is no need for her representative to reflect the electorate. We honestly don't get a say on the ethnicity of HER representative unless.. wait for it... we decide we no longer want her as Head of State (Independence). So to demand otherwise is willful folly and ignorance of the colonial situation that exists as an Overseas Territory rather than an independent country. Children cannot demand from their parents; what they can do is grow up, move out of the home and fund their way in life.
For those commenting that there is such a huge choice in terms of Black UK representation, bear in mind that a Governor, take a quick glance at former Governors' biographies and realise that the post of Governor is awarded to the HIGHEST ranks in the UK Civil Service. Meaning, you have to first be IN the Civil Service (2018 data figures show that Blacks were 3.3% of Administrative Officers and Assistants, 4.0% of Executive Officers, 2.8% of Senior and Higher Executive Officers, 1.9% of those at Grades 6 and 7 and 1.2% of those in the Senior Civil service), then you have to advance through the ranks and have the RIGHT combination of experience and positions to leverage a Governor of an Overseas Territory job. See data here: https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/workforce-and-business/workforce-diversity/civil-service-workforce/latest#by-ethnicity-and-grade
I would sincerely HOPE that those advocating a Governor of this territory would look towards their competence, experience and ability to FULFILL THEIR ROLE rather than thinking that what really matters is that they look like us. Look honestly at the percentages based on the data and out of those 50 (representing 1.2% of the Senior Civil Service) tell me WHICH of the 50 have the experience and competence to represent Her Majesty. If you don't know the 50 and their qualifications, but are only concerned about skin colour, that too speaks volume.
For those speaking on black UK governors/women. That should be the least of your worries. You don’t even vote in women as your premier where you can actually vote them in yet you want a woman to come in as governor in a democratic country that you don’t even exercise your rights in for what you want & what truly makes sense? Y’all really are ridiculous around here lol