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‘Corruption must be more broadly defined’ – Hon J. Alvin Christopher

Chairman of the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) Honourable J. Alvin Christopher (R2) said that corruption must be more broadly defined so that it could include the failure to follow the country’s laws so that someone benefits for example in the awarding of contracts. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Chairman of the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) Honourable J. Alvin Christopher (R2) said that corruption must be more broadly defined so that it could include the failure to follow the country’s laws so that someone benefits, for example in the awarding of contracts.

He was speaking as one of the panelists on the PEP’s radio show heard on Monday evening February 23, 2015 on ZBVI 780 AM.

“One of the things a lot of people get up and ask about [is] corruption in Government, and most people associate that - and it is so - it has to do with stealing of money or doing things that are not appropriate. But corruption has a much broader connotation,” he said.

“If you operate in a democracy, a democracy is a country of laws and individuals are empowered by laws in order to carry out certain responsibilities in the public’s interest and if you deviate from those principles and laws that you are guided by in order so that someone else can get a better opportunity of having a tender go where you want it, that is corruption,” he pointed out.

“So the minute that any empowered officer appointed or elected begins the process of deviating from the laws that govern you without following the legal procedures for whatever reason – it could be for personal interest, it may not be for personal interest – then you are going to have to explain to the public clearly what your objectives and motives are and it becomes open for persons to speculate and say what they think,” he said.

He said that the Government’s responsibility at all times is to have an open and transparent and accountable system in whatever they do so that the public could follow exactly what the processes are.

Recently, First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie labelled the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government the most corrupt in the modern history of the Virgin Islands and called them morally and politically bankrupt.

He made the scathing remarks during the delivery of his First District Annual Report on Saturday evening January 24, 2015 at the Capoon’s Bay Recreational Grounds. Present with him was Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3).

“This government has been the most corrupt government in the modern history of this Territory,” Hon Fahie said. “They have repeatedly used this Territory as their personal piggy banks; and they have refused to adhere to the principles of good governance,” he had said.

The NDP administration has still not properly debunked Hon Fahie's allegations.

20 Responses to “‘Corruption must be more broadly defined’ – Hon J. Alvin Christopher”

  • bull frog (26/02/2015, 08:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Then more will be croupt
  • Jac (26/02/2015, 09:12) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    Why JAC don't go sit down. He can't represent the people of the Second District for the past eight years, but now he plans to run the country? The most popular beach on the island with tourists, why does CGB have a third-world country run-down look? Leader of PEP, put some pep in your step and let us know how you plan on making Cane Garden Bay more attractive.
    Have you seen the gravel making its way up by the church, a situation that will go straight up the Black Point if not stopped. Look at the old cars strewn across by the bridge and the boats parked along the road that looks so unsightly. Tell us what you can do to improve this area and stop using words like "corruption" to distract people from your non-representation of the Second District.
  • PEP pure empty promises (26/02/2015, 10:16) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Talk about the beef island bridge fiasco...The brewer's bay beach investigation that jimmy smith blew the whistle on...Talk about when you was a NDP and rented your own empty building to government for millions...TALK THAT!
    • number (26/02/2015, 23:51) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      Frankly, I'm ashamed as an Virgin ISlander, and appalled as a taxpayer after three long years of the NDP
    • Forbidden Truth (27/02/2015, 07:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well who was he representing politically again. Hmmm. Chat that.
    • pep (27/02/2015, 16:33) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Pitiful Exchange Program
  • xxxxxxxx (26/02/2015, 10:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well if its define any other way there might be no man left standing!!!!
  • Ah saw (26/02/2015, 10:28) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Alvin now come playing a saint, satan correcting sin.
  • qc (26/02/2015, 11:06) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
    alvin on to something....
  • NDP must go (26/02/2015, 12:07) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    Stack up alvin against mark and myron in terms of interity...need i say more
  • 123 (26/02/2015, 16:10) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply
    Alvin onto something
    • chad (26/02/2015, 23:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Corrupt politiains they have no place among us or, ultimately, anywhere else.
  • small island (26/02/2015, 18:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Corruption by any other name is still corruption
  • qc (26/02/2015, 23:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    God bless these opp members
  • Wadoo ghost (26/02/2015, 23:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's in immigration n customs too.
  • wadoo1@hot (27/02/2015, 06:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It in immigration n customs too.
  • Ben (27/02/2015, 10:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    JAC go sit your backside down who in their mind will want you to represent them for premier in this and age you cannot represent the this country overseas I leave the rest for you to figure out,
  • Eat your heart out (01/03/2015, 06:59) Like (0) Dislike (39) Reply
    As far as I see why pulling down one another it ain't need all of that all we need is togetherness let do what's best for this country all of you who speak so bad of who can,t run this country can you all run this country so stop your foolishness and let us support what's best for this country I know for sure by God grace the second district representive he will do what,s best for this country and you all knows it's the true so stop it let us joint hand in hand and support the second district representive.


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