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Dealing with complaints part of public officials' job - Governor

“I have always been a great believer in the principle of complaining. I benefitted personally from complaining and I think that I would encourage others to complain once something goes wrong. Because if you don’t complain, the things that go wrong will stay wrong,” Governor William Boyd McCleary said at the reception yesterday May 7, 2014. Photo: VINO
Premier Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith was present at the reception. Photo: VINO
Premier Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith was present at the reception. Photo: VINO
Some of the invitees to the reception to mark the 5th anniversary of the Complaints Commission. Photo: VINO
Some of the invitees to the reception to mark the 5th anniversary of the Complaints Commission. Photo: VINO
Scene from the reception to mark the 5th anniversary of the Complaints Commission held yesterday May 7, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the reception to mark the 5th anniversary of the Complaints Commission held yesterday May 7, 2014. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Governor William Boyd McCleary said that while some public officials may find it a nuisance to deal with complaints, it is part of their job of delivering public service.

“It is not a nuisance; it is a part of your job. It is part of your delivery of public service,” he said, while speaking yesterday May 7, 2014 during a reception held at Maria’s By The Sea to mark the 5th year of the existence of the Complaints Commission.

“I have always been a great believer in the principle of complaining. I benefitted personally from complaining and I think that I would encourage others to complain once something goes wrong. Because if you don’t complain, the things that go wrong will stay wrong,” he said.

He said too that the Complaints Commission is the agency that ensures the Government of the Virgin Islands is transparent. “Accountability is critical for effective Government,” he said.

The Governor said too that Government should explain its decisions.

“Sometimes as a member of the Executive it is a bit demanding to explain why you are saying yes or why you are saying no, particularly when you are saying no. But I think under the Constitution it is clear that people have a right to know why a decision goes against them,” he said.

“I think it is a good thing to have a sense of challenge, a sense of accountability and I am conscious that the very existence of a Complaints Commission has meant that people now have recourse in a way they didn’t have previously to address their complaints,” he said.

The Governor said that despite the frustrations that the Complaints Commission has experienced, the work of the Commission has made a difference.

“Everyone who complains has the potential to make a difference and everyone involved in dealing with a complaint has a chance to make a difference too,” he said.

The Governor said that as the Commission develops its procedures, members of the public service have become more attuned to the need to respond and give decisions in an effective and reasoned way.

11 Responses to “Dealing with complaints part of public officials' job - Governor”

  • civil servants (08/05/2014, 08:29) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    We really do not want to hear a thing from this governor...He is apart of the problem!
  • xxxxxxxx (08/05/2014, 11:02) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Can we ever believe anything he says?
  • pete (08/05/2014, 11:06) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The concept of this dept is excellent but it has been difficult to even get government officials to comply. Complaining is not negative, it is clarification so things can be corrected, it is also a way to question attitude, check retaliation, corruption and unlawful behavior. It should be respected by every citizen who has a right to challenge decisions. But it is also a referee between Government officials/ ministers' and public so everyone gets a fair shot and government employees are held accountable. Transparency!!
  • ABC (08/05/2014, 12:37) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I would like to voice my dissatisfaction over the Governor's refusal to address the issues raised in the Chief Auditor's Report which clearly warrant the establishment of a Board of Inquiry. Will this be done after the completion of the Public Accounts Committee's report is handed in? I doubt that.
  • rattie (08/05/2014, 12:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    My lesson for the day is a quote attributed to Martin Luther King Jr:

    “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
  • open wide (08/05/2014, 12:57) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Another presentation , another speech , symposium , whatever
  • expert (09/05/2014, 01:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It might be argued that the Governor is not on the side of the people!!!!
  • Serpico (09/05/2014, 10:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why does he not deport white criminals from the United Kingdom who were convicted here and there?
  • nbc (09/05/2014, 10:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We all thought that the extra year which the Governor requested was to enable him to make some tough decisions and to leave a clean slate for his replacement. Not so, he sat right down like a lump on a log and allowed the corruption to continue unchecked. He came in like a storm and is now leaving like a wimp. So sad.
    • cnn (09/05/2014, 12:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Stop blaiming the Governor. If the Public Accounts Committee would get their act together, he would be able to do a lot. They can't even get their own notes from those who are responsible for producing them, so when will the final report be placed on the table. What a shame.


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