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VI’s May 2024 CoI implementation deadline not feasible– PS Stoutt-Igwe

- says a number of steps still have to be taken on some of the recommendations
Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Ms Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe says after reviewing a number of tasks to be completed for the full implementation of the CoI recommendations in the Virgin Islands (VI), the May 2024 deadline for the implementation of the recommendations is not feasible. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Ms Stoutt-Igwe was at the time speaking in a GIS live broadcast program on Facebook entitled Government Business at its Best- Table Talk: Effective Communication on the topic of the implementation of the CoI recommendations broadcasted today, Wednesday, January 3, 2023, on Facebook. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Ms Stoutt-Igwe was at the time speaking in a GIS live broadcast program on Facebook entitled Government Business at its Best- Table Talk: Effective Communication on the topic of the implementation of the CoI recommendations broadcasted today, Wednesday, January 3, 2023, on Facebook. Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe says after reviewing several tasks to be completed for the full implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI), the revised May 2024 deadline for implementation is not feasible.

“I believe the Governor will probably speak to the extension if necessary, but I would say that it is not feasible for a couple of reasons… we've had some delays and If you look at the November [2023] report, you will see that there are some actions that have not been started and the major reason for that is that new legislation is required based on the recommendations,” she said.

Some recommendations may never be marked complete - Stoutt-Igwe

Mrs Stoutt-Igwe was at the time speaking in a GIS live broadcast programme on Facebook entitled Government Business at its Best- Table Talk: Effective Communication on the topic of the implementation of the CoI recommendations broadcasted on Wednesday, January 3, 2023, on Facebook.

“And I would say here that in looking at the recommendations made by Sir Gary Hickinbottom, he basically assumed from all the reviews from the statutory boards and some of the other reviews that it would lead to new legislation and that is not necessarily going to be the case."

Mrs Stoutt-Igwe added that in the case where a review can say that new legislation is not necessary, that means that particular recommendation will never be marked completed.

“So we have a couple of situations like that, but some of the reviews also showed how extensive the work that is required to be done,” she said while detailing more examples of possible delays. 

Premier vocal on public consultations - PS Stoutt-Igwe 

Meanwhile, the PS said the Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has been vocal with his feedback in terms of making sure that the public is involved, and in a number of these cases where new policies are required that could lead to legislation, he has been saying there's is a need for public consultation.

“Having a delay with completing the consultation phase means that there will be a delay in completing the policy, means that there'll be a delay in completing the legislation. So the reason why I'm saying May is not feasible for some of the recommendations is because, in order to get to completion, a number of steps must be completed ahead of May.”

She further detailed other examples where the completion deadline is simply not possible based on the work required.

The PS added; however, that the Government is still working towards the deadline and "putting on our running shoes," even if they do get to the finish line they may realise there is still a way to go. 

21 Responses to “VI’s May 2024 CoI implementation deadline not feasible– PS Stoutt-Igwe”

  • resident (04/01/2024, 09:07) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    some of these ps's are the definition of failing upward
    • @resident (04/01/2024, 12:00) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
      I said from the start the deadline was unrealistic and unattainable. It is a cabal system. It is wrong what the Governor and the UK are doing is wrong
    • Youth (04/01/2024, 12:09) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      Did the commissioner of the COI write the 48 recommendations or did the UK do it and hide behind him because what does a judge know about public administration and running a country. This is why most of the recommendations make absolutely no sense in a Caribbean cultural environment. These recommendations are to control the BVI and not to help the people of the BVI to get a better way of life.
  • Except (04/01/2024, 09:35) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    For the perpetrators of what caused the COI in the first place , nothing will be ( feasible ) / .point blank , not even the people who was given the honor of running their own country has the integrity to admit what went on is real and isn't uttering a single word on that , in fact they are acting like it never happened so its
    as if each of them has secrets on eachother and we all know what that means , none of them wants to open the can with the WORMS
    • To Except (04/01/2024, 11:56) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
      Stop talk foolishness. The COI was a modern day slavery lynching job cloaked as good governance. It was not transparent nor independent of the Governor and UK interference. It needs to be challenged in the courts.
    • What modern partnership? (04/01/2024, 12:20) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      The UK are masters with playing with our minds with buzz phrases like modern partnership where they can look into their partner but the partner cannot look into them. They can investigate their partner but the partner cannot investigate them. They can call a non transparent COI on their partner but their partner cannot call a COI on them. They can arrest their partner but their partner cannot arrest them. I guess the BVI and the OTs need to ask the UK to define what they mean by modern as it surely is not the same definition we know it to be.
      • Call it what it is (04/01/2024, 13:45) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
        To have two order in council to suspend any country's constitution in the 21st century unless they do what you want in terms of public registry in the financial services and to implement their questionable COI recommendations without any discussions for adjustments is a clear moden day slavery whip being held over the head of the people of the country. It is non democratic and high handed. This is so wrong and the people need to stand up and speak out against this evil minded action.
    • @Except (04/01/2024, 13:51) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      You need to accept that the COI was preauthored and prearranged. The outcome was predetermined before it started. The move to suspend the constitution unless their preauthored recommendations are implemented on their unreasonable and unrealistic time frame was premeditated. They have no regards for our democracy.
  • YAWN (04/01/2024, 09:35) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Tell me you don't know what you doing without telling me you don't know what you doing...yawn.
    • Clearly (04/01/2024, 12:05) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      The British officials handpicked a Judge who was of like minds with them against the BVI and he did only what his bosses wanted. There was no tender process nor competitive bidding to select the Commissioner of the COI. It was a full set up from the start.
  • Excuses, excuses! (04/01/2024, 09:42) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Excuses, excuses! If they had started when they should have, they would be close to completion and can be justified in asking for more time where necessary. My peeve is that the innocent will have to suffer for the guilty and that is never acceptable,
    • Wait (04/01/2024, 12:06) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      How come the COI did not recommend the Governor and those from the UK Government working in the BVI needs to adhere to the BVI law to register their interest while working in the BVI? How come the COI did not recommend to amend the COI Act that was passed by the same British in 1880? This is not about JUSTICE. It is about JUST US!!!
    • vg youth (04/01/2024, 12:08) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      The lady is talking sense. The Governor does not care about the people of the BVI. They want to enslave us but call it good governance. They see us as possession and not people.
  • action (04/01/2024, 10:20) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hmm interesting. I wonder whose fault is this. It can only mean a couple of things. When the premier signed on the dotted line was it because he wanted to be premier. Is he incompetent in getting to job done. Did he pull wool over the uk eyes. Was he only self serving. Will he now admit his incompetence and step aside and allow the territory to be run by a more capable women in our corner. Lorna if you are really in the people's corner do it now. You have the power. Show the people now that you are really in our corner by taking the reins of government for the good of the people. UK not giving anymore extensions. But with a new premier they may be incline. You can also call fresh elections. Guarantee that a few would not be reelected. #1 gone. #5 gone. #9 gone and possibly #7. Stay in our corner Lorna and do it fa de people.
    • the real issue (04/01/2024, 12:22) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Governor and his UK bosses are portraying themselves as squeaky clean and the only people in the world with integrity. This is a dangerous starting point in any "so called" partnership because it signifies that one race is proclaiming themselves as more superior than another. This only brings war, division, mistrust, and a revolution.
  • when? (04/01/2024, 12:18) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    When are we going to find out if the UK lawyers practiced law illegally in the BVI? When are we going to find out if Hickinbottom lied or not on the purpose of his trip when he landed at the airport? When are we going to find out what process was used to select the Commissioner of the COI? These are only some of the many areas the people of the BVI need to know when will we find out.
  • Gosh (04/01/2024, 13:10) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Racism and white supremacy must not allow to take root in the bvi community we must fight
  • ................................. (04/01/2024, 13:28) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    The new year can often offer an opportune time for us to discuss our independence
  • One word (04/01/2024, 13:41) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    INDEPENDENCE
  • hmm (04/01/2024, 13:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    definition of falling on your own sword. Why agree to something unrealistic in the first place?
  • Stop it . (04/01/2024, 19:14) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is like a game. These people are not serious. They are so accustomed of making excuses.. That they think its the way to go, the right thing to do..I think they have miscalculated this time. They won't get away with excuses.


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