(L-R) Talking Points co-host Damion C. Grange, co-host Elvin Grant and guests Mr Kedrick E. Malone, Governance Reform Delivery Manager, and Acting Director of Communications Mrs Karia J. Christopher. Photo: Facebook

Governor Daniel Pruce assented to the Parliamentary Commission for Standards Act and the Register of Interest Act on January 17, 2025. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Mr Kedrick E.  Malone, Governance Reform Delivery Manager, was a guest on Talking Points on Monday, January 20, 2025, along with Acting Director of Communications Mrs Karia J. Christopher on ZBVI 780 AM. Mr Malone said all the necessary legislation had been completed. 

“Most of the legislation has been brought into force, some of them have not yet been brought into force because bringing the legislation into force requires that the Governor assents to it and then the Minister responsible for the subject brings it into force,” he explained. 

Some legislation required regulations and implementation plans and that process, he said, is ongoing. 

“There are varying links to bring legislation into force depending on the extent of the legislation,” Mr Malone said. 

He used as an example the Social Assistance Act, which he described as a “very large bill” which requires “very large implementation”. 

This act, he said, will eventually come into force but in the interim provisions are being made to enforce aspects of the act that will allow for supporting the requirement to provide social assistance to the public. 

Process of review agreed upon- Mr Malone

Mr Malone said while awaiting the enforcement of the remaining legislation, the United Kingdom (UK) government and the VI government have agreed to a process of review. 

This process includes four components- the Governor’s review, the VI government’s review, the Governor’s final review of the CoI separate from his final review and the UK FCDO’s review. 

Mr Malone also revealed that there is a requirement for the public to give input about the CoI which will be conducted under the Governor’s portfolio. 

These reviews will all be put together and that will be the basis for the assessment of the CoI. 

“The timeline is that we hope by the end of February the reports would have been completed both on the government’s side and the Governor’s side inclusive of feedback from the public as well as the FCDO reports and some time, hopefully in March. This is just a broad timeframe, the process of looking at all of that and having discussions around it would take place,” Mr Malone added. 

Update on legislations

The Standards Commission Act, which governs the integrity behaviour of the House of Assembly and the Register of Interest Act were the last two pieces of legislation assented to. 

They were recently assented to by Governor Daniel Pruce on Friday, January 17, 2025. 

The Integrity in Public Life Act has not been assented to as yet by the Governor, Mr Malone revealed. He explained that it is pending implementation of the Standards Commission Act. 

Acts assented to and brought into force are the Public Service Management Act, CoI Act and the Service Commissions Act, while the Crown Lands Management Act and Public Assistance Act have been assented to but not brought into force.