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VI finally has an Integrity Commission

- Members took an orientation session on Thursday, March 27, 2025
(L-R) Governor Daniel Pruce, Integrity Commission Members, Mr Reynell Frazer, Mr Gene Creque, Ms Dancia Penn OBE, KC; Rev. Sandra Walters Malone; Dr Robert Mactavious, and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: GIS/Ronnielee Frazer
Members of the Integrity Commission took part in an orientation session on March 27, 2025. Photo: GIS/Ronnielee Frazer
Members of the Integrity Commission took part in an orientation session on March 27, 2025. Photo: GIS/Ronnielee Frazer
Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said it was important for the VI to have an Integrity Commission as the commission does not allow vexatious claims or witch-hunting expeditions. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said it was important for the VI to have an Integrity Commission as the commission does not allow vexatious claims or witch-hunting expeditions. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands (VI) finally has an Integrity Commission, almost four years after it was set to be established under the Integrity in Public Life Act, 2021.

Members of the Integrity Commission, an independent body, took part in an orientation session on Thursday, March 27, 2025. 

The members were appointed by Governor Daniel Pruce in agreement with Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). 

The members are Chairperson R. Dancia Penn OBE, KC; Mr Reynell  Frazer, Mr Gene Creque, Reverend Sandra Walters Malone and Dr Robert A. Mactavious. 

A long time coming

In 2016, then Complaints Commissioner Mrs Sheila N. Brathwaite expressed the need for the establishment of an Integrity Commission in the Virgin Islands (VI). 

Mrs Braithwaite then explained that the Integrity Commission would work to improve the standard of conduct, propriety and ethics within the Public Service allowing employees to speak up about misconduct when they see it.

The commission, she added, would work hand-in-hand with the Complaints Commission to execute its various functions.  

Though established in 2021 with the passage of the Integrity in Public Life Act, 2021, the commission was not set up right away. In 2022, former Premier Andrew A. Fahie said the commission would be established by April 2022. 

Improving transparency & accountability 

The Public Life (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced to and passed in the House of Assembly (HoA) during the Sixteenth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth HoA on July 26, 2024, 

Premier Wheatley said the amendments formed part of moves to improve transparency, accountability and good governance in the VI and the commission would be created. 

Premier Wheatley’s promise was not in vain as the VI now has an Integrity Commission that can finally begin the job as set out in the Integrity in Public Life Act. 

The primary role of the Integrity Commission is to promote and enhance ethical conduct among individuals in public life, thereby strengthening good governance and preventing corruption within the public sector. 

Premier Wheatley had also said that it was important for the VI to have an Integrity Commission as the commission does not allow vexatious claims or witch-hunting expeditions.

23 Responses to “VI finally has an Integrity Commission ”

  • 2024 (28/03/2025, 12:15) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    what ever happened to the “consumer protection”
    The expiration dates on some of the items still on supermarket shelves are questionable or debatable

  • ok (28/03/2025, 12:18) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now we need consumer protection, a department of waste and measures and an ethics committee. lets et it done, son!
  • Outsider (28/03/2025, 12:35) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does the Commission have appropriate funding?
    Does the Commission have appropriate administrative support?
    If not, the Commission will be ineffectual and its establishment will amount to more window-dressing.
  • WTF (28/03/2025, 13:38) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now all we need is some actual integrity.
  • $taff (28/03/2025, 13:42) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Need one at SSB
  • Teeth or tongue? (28/03/2025, 14:12) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    About time! But will this be just another cushy commission without any teeth (legal enforcement & adjudication) or the usual lip service (tongue)? More of the old guards with deep political ties which may hinder their morality to make sound decisions in the best interests of the people.
  • Bishop (28/03/2025, 14:28) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a joke and a waste of time.
  • YAWN (28/03/2025, 14:37) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another toothless tiger left to roam.....
  • A Dictionary (28/03/2025, 15:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    First things first.
  • The Usurper (28/03/2025, 15:13) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's be real what INTEGRITY? This is not a shot at the individuals chosen whom are all accomplished people and full of integrity themselves. When the complaints are made about " CERTAIN POWERFUL WOMEN and MEN" in this society that individual being complained on will know who what where when before the panel get to adjudicate the matter.
  • Senior native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (28/03/2025, 15:31) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I love reading B.V.I news, but in order to continue doing this, I have to read comicry as this.

    INTEGRITY COMMITY.

    Question: How can a or some persons of low integrity be able to appoint persons of high integrity without realizing their own lack of true, honest, and genuine integrity?

    Commicry at best in B.V.I news, some of the time. Thank to God not all the time.
  • Laugh (28/03/2025, 16:18) Like (14) Dislike (13) Reply
    Finding work for more old people to do.
    This country is a waste
    People who dome make money and retire,
    They find work for them.
  • FIRE (28/03/2025, 19:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep recycling the same old farted people that has the BVI stagnant.
    • @FIRE (30/03/2025, 03:00) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Well saw, young people have no manners. Every single person in that group has done a hell of a job in their positions building this country. From Mr. Mathavious who was a PS, and was at the helm of Financial Services Commission for over 30 years and built it to what it is today to Ms. Dancia who worked very hard in this community as AG and Mr. Frazer as Commission of Police etc. I can go on and list all of their attributes, but I won't as it will go right over your head. They are not the ones that have the BVI stagnant, Dear. When they were running things we were flying. Envy of the whole Caribbean. The young farter crackers who are in charge as the Government, PSs, etc, have things stagnant. All our tax money wasting and spending on parties, travel and rents and nothing else happening. So don't try to fool us with your idle chatter. We are woke. And BTW age is not a disease, be careful before you die young.
  • Well Sah (28/03/2025, 20:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not a young person with fresh ideas to balance

    “ we will talk”
    Very lazy person what a ting
  • Curious (29/03/2025, 00:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    How do you put Dancia Penn & Integrity in the same sentence?
  • hmm (29/03/2025, 08:31) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    These comments are spot on. Danica sat in government and let Fraser sign a Buy Water deal that continues to rape us all now. I wonder who really put this committee together. Sandra take my foolish advice and get out before they ruin your salvation.
  • Roger Burnett (29/03/2025, 09:24) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The past shinanigans in high office of one of the committee members should surely disqualifies that person.
  • Loon (29/03/2025, 13:20) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    And just who is going to conduct the investigations into integrity and corruption? None of them for sure. The police department? Outsiders brought in? Where is the budget to have proper investigators?
  • hahahaha (29/03/2025, 21:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Frazer
    Hahahahah


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