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Governor says ‘additional powers’ needed to implement CoI reforms in VI
Mr Rankin also suggested an extension for the CoI reform process in the territory, citing disappointment at the rate of reform ahead of an already revised May 2024 CoI reform implementation deadline.
“I nonetheless continue to hold the best interests of the BVI in mind and I believe that these measures are necessary in ensuring that the BVI prospers in the future, with the strong foundations of a modern democracy,” Governor Rankin said in his Fifth Quarterly Review published today, January 5, 2024.
The Review blasted the efforts of the Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) Government.
Resources, additional powers or technical expertise needed
The Permanent Secretary in the Premier's Office, Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe, recently said the May 2024 deadline was not "feasible", citing a number of outstanding matters.
Governor Rankin added that since April 2023, Lord Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith asked him to consider if “resources, additional powers or technical expertise” were necessary to accelerate the Government’s reform programme.
“In addition to exercising the powers which I have under the Virgin Islands Constitution, I have reached the conclusion that I must request additional powers to help ensure the Framework Agreement proposed by the BVI Government is delivered. Experience has shown that providing more time alone will not be sufficient to deliver reform and that there may be a need for the Governor to step in further,” Governor Rankin further said.
The Governor's decision came in his Review where he said it has been twenty-one months since the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report was published and the VI is now well beyond the phase of reviews and audits.
“There has been ample time to consider recommendations and initiate real reform. However, progress in implementing the recommendations of the COI has significantly stalled. Only one additional recommendation is reported as completed over the past six months.. the total stands at 25 of 48, with only a few months left until May 2024,” he said in reference to the deadline.
No promised change delivered - Governor Rankin
Meanwhile, the Governor said while his previous Quarterly Review was relatively positive, it called for a concerted effort and prioritisation from Ministers. “This does not appear to have happened. Despite the best efforts of many public servants to take recommendations forward, developing plans and policy, we have not seen the promised changes delivered," he said.
“At the beginning of April 2023, the then UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, Lord Goldsmith, wrote to me and asked me to agree deadlines with the BVI Government to ensure that the necessary reforms have taken root no later than May 2024. This “should allow for the Order in Council to be lifted then.”1 It looks unlikely that this will be achieved and hence unlikely that the Order in Council can be lifted at that point.”
The Governor said key recommendations are far behind schedule and the capability and determination of the VI Government to drive forward and complete reforms is in question and it has remained an option to consider an “interim administration” whereby the Governor takes over the responsibilities of Ministers in line with the Order in Council, however, he said that it not his recommendation at this stage.
“Instead, I believe that an extension to the CoI implementation process will be necessary for the Government to prove its commitment to reform and get the work done. An extension to the end of November 2024 should enable the recommendations to be fully considered and for legislation to be brought into force.
The Governor said some positive steps that should be noted in that he welcomed the outreach to the community that has taken place on some issues, "The purpose of the COI process, is to benefit the people of the Virgin Islands and it is only right that they are consulted on key matters affecting them."
More details to come.
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32 Responses to “Governor says ‘additional powers’ needed to implement CoI reforms in VI”
legally we are the Virgin Islands. There is no such place as British Virgin Islands
I do not have 48 recommendations but I do have one: repent and ask forgiveness. You all are unreasonable, selfish, uncaring, biased, greedy, self-serving and did I add, worthless?? The youth stands a 15% chance with ayo at the helm. Educ minister is a joker and a bully and a con, Crabbe is a crab in a barrel all by her damn miserable self, the Premier - I have no words, you in your own league, a book can be written N shall be bout u, the deputy needs to stand up and for the people NOW and the 9tb district rep well Vince your time is up. Do not let door hit your ass on de way out bye bye
Stop trying to fool the people of the BVI. You have us as possession and not people. You investigated and arrested all locals and Caribbean people & public officers but allowing an alleged corrupt UK white Commissioner of Police to remain on the job while one of your colonial people do a bogus investigation. This is so wrong. You all have not changed from the days of slavery. All you did is modernize your methods.
The Other territoy official name is "United States Virgin Islands"
Our is just "Virgin Islands".
Simply goolge both islands Drivers Licence
Moreover, CoI recommendations were predetermined and was controversial and bias. For example, the Gary Hickinbottom led CoI only looked into functions falling under the purview of Blacks. Any functions falling under the UK -appointed Governor at most received an airbrushing, if that..The CoI recommendations were suggested by a lone commissioner ( Sir Gary Hickinbottom’). Imagine a lone commissioner recommending the suspension of a country’s constitution. This only happens with unilateral power, might is right and white, entity accountable only to its self., etc. The time line was unrealistic with the local government having no choice but to agree to the timeline.It was either agree or the constitution would be suspended. Nevertheless, the constitution was suspended by an order in council and is being held in reserve, hanging over the VI and its people like the Seird of Damocles. Sir Gary Hickinbottom’ as a professional cannot be proud of his actions/work in the bogus CoI. But he was probably an handpicked hired gun and allegedly part of the cabal. The Government errored in agreeing to the truncated and compressed timeline. The government is being asked to implement recommendations in months, which if done right and in the best interests of the territory and people would take years. The 48 recommendations are a forced fed checklist. It is an exercise in unilateral power, not giving a rat’s @$$ if they are in the best interest of the territory. It is a power trip. The government under duress must lean forward and try its best, for it is a dependent overseas territory with no power. The UK conveniently fling the term that the OTs are a family. What a family?? The governor has unilateral power under the constitution so what additional power he wants?
Knowing what he knew then, he went straight ahead in April 2023 and extended the timeframe for completion of the COI recommendations to May 2024. He knew full well that just extending the time alone wasn’t sufficient.
Now, he’s on here talking foolishness.
Mr Premier, you and your government certainly have your work cut out for you with this soon to be ex governor. And may I remind you, the whole BVI is looking for you all to get us out of the mess we’re in. All the very best !!!
He is the Guardian of the Constitution and he breaks or violates it the most.
People the Governor is not in the BVIs to protect the Police Commissioner but he is here to protect the rights, freedom and proviledge of the People ( Citizen/ Residence) of this Territory.
The People must stop talking and demand of the Governor to do what he is to do.
Get up off your backside and do something.
Stop asking what this Territory can do for you but ask what can you do for this Territory.
In 1946 after WWII, the UN in an effort to move non-self-governing territories towards greater self-determination.At the time, there were 72 non-self-governing territories, including the Virgin Islands; today 17 remain, including the Virgin Islands. The UN assigned the UK as the ‘Administering Power ‘ for the Virgin Islands with the responsibility for assisting and guiding it towards a full measure of self-governing. The UK’s effort was/is at best lukewarm, ignoring the UN C-24 progress report. No surprise the UK ignores the UN , for the UN is a toothless lion; a paper tiger. Furthermore, the UK, a colonialism entity, is also no surprise, for colonialism have always been and is about power and control, privilege, entitlement, racial superiority,etc. It does not give a rat’s ass about the political, social, economic and cultural advancement of the Virgin Islands people. Its focus is on power and control. And the Virgin Islands people are a willing partner to their holding on to power and control with their silence, disunity, scattering and dividing, etc.
Moreover, John Augustus Cockburn Cruikshank was commissioner of the Virgin Islands from 1946-1954 and he was also a power crazed terror. The people did not sit silent as they are today; they protested, agitated and advocated about Cruikshank’s power antics..Their frustration culminated in the Great March of November 24, 1949, with 1500 Virgin Islanders from among a population of 7000-8000, led by Dolph Faulkner marching from the Bandstand to Government House, Mount Olympus as it was called. Cruikshank was forced to listen to their grievances, which were forwarded to the UK . The March yielded 1) reinstating of Legislature which suspended in 1901, 2) a modern constitution in 1950, 3) for the first time locals got the opportunity to vote directly for 4 at large political candidates to the Legislative Council, 4) universal suffrage in 1954. Additionally, in 1968, National Hero Noel Lloyd and PAM protests reversed the giveaway of Wickhams Cay and 4/5 of Anegada.
Moreover, power follows money and numbers. Money fuels power and power fuels wealth. In a democracy, numeric power wins, rules and sets the priority. Virgin Islanders are not using their numeric power to get people to listen, to cooperate, to and with them. Instead, the colonialists are using their docile, silent, nonchalant, disunity , appeasing disposition, etc to exploit and take advantage of them.At the current rate and direction, it will not be long before Virgin Islanders will do the 360 back into slavery. I could go, on and on but I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired talking about our deplorable situation, decline in progress.