HoA to validate status of some 688 persons from Fast-Track programme - Premier
This comes following an announcement from the Governor on April 14, 2023, that he intends to re-convene the House of Assembly after an audit has shown that some six-hundred and eighty-eight (688) persons who were simultaneously approved for Residency and Belonger status, under the Fast-Track program, should have been free of immigration controls twelve months prior to applying for Belonger status, according to the law.
Premier Wheatley in his support of the move said, “Democracy is a sacred trust. We all have a responsibility to protect and uphold democracy. It provides the legitimacy on which Government rests. The rule of law is the best way to ensure that we can participate in an orderly and meaningful way in a democracy.”
He said the Cabinet’s approval of those persons was done on the basis of the legal advice provided by the former Attorney General, Baba F. Aziz, however, the recent audit of the Fast Track Programme identified what appears to have been an honest oversight.
No Fault of the Individual - Premier
Governor Rankin in his statement said it was not the fault of the individuals concerned, most of whom have lived in the VI and contributed to the community for more than 20 years and have legitimately operated in the belief that their status granted is valid.
“I agree with Governor Rankin that this was not the fault of any of the applicants. We live in a democracy, and it is important that no one who is qualified is disenfranchised because of this error.
Further, the Premier said he supports the Governor in recalling the House of Assembly so that this matter can be appropriately and immediately addressed.
“The House of Assembly has the power to validate the grant of the Residence and Belonger Certificates made by Cabinet and this is what we will seek to do as early as Monday the 17th April, at the beginning of next week. A Bill will be introduced in the House of Assembly to validate the Residence and Belonger status of the 688 persons identified in the audit report.”
The Premier assured that the issue is not one for “politicking” with a further assurance that in consultation with the Governor and advice from the Attorney General, Dawn J. Smith, the scheduled General Election of April 24, 2023, will proceed as planned as well as advanced polling day on the April 20, 2023.
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36 Responses to “HoA to validate status of some 688 persons from Fast-Track programme - Premier ”
are they just rubber stamping these listed eronous issuings of residency/ belingership or are they actually going to review them.
if its just a rubber stamp then theyve he and his party ha e just lost my vote for sure. this fast track needs to be fully audited and applications reviewed. false applications were approved based on fake infomation. they should bot be alowed to retain their status. I wrote to the governor and immigration and named individuals who i know to have not lived in the territory for years, but who were still granted belongership. neither the givernor nor immigration acted to change or review these individuals. maybe I should give the names to Mika, at least then their names will be out there. i cannot believe that the government or the governor would not review thikese fraudulent applucations.
The problem is that they were given both status’ simultaneously instead of waiting a year after residency to get belongership, which is what the law says must happen. They are fixing that not reviewing the applicants.
White bloggers out!
BUT ITS NOT GOING TO WORK.
Who wrote the bill to be introduced? What are the long term ramifications to general populace? How does it affect our constitution? When was the audit report concluded and provided to cabinet? Was the bill being introduced included in the 16 the week before the house was dissolved? If not WHY?