Fmr Deputy Premier petitions UK to intervene in VI affairs
“In recent years, there has been an increasing and significant weakening of governance and of the institutions of Government in,” the VI according to Ms Penn, in her recent written submission of evidence to the UK Parliamentary Committee tasked with a review of the future relations between the UK and its Overseas Territories.
"My recommendation is that governance be addressed urgently, and in a definitive way, by the relevant authorities in the UK in conjunction with the relevant officials and entities in the VI," said Ms Penn, who also served the VI in the capacity of Deputy Governor and Attorney General.
Widespread Corruption
She said, there is an increasing sustained lack of transparency and accountability in key aspects of public life, and this has led to a decline in the rule of law and respect and regard for it; a lack of regard and respect for law and order, and a resulting increase in crime and criminality along with a sustained lack of transparency and accountability.
The former VI Deputy Premier in her submission to the Committee in September 2018, said too, there is widespread allegations and perceptions of corruption on the part of elected officials and Ministers of Government as well as within Statutory Corporations such as the BVI Ports Authority and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, as well as the Tortola Pier Park Project and the BVI Airways matter have led to an increasing erosion of regard for governance and public institutions.
Failure
According to Ms Penn, “respect for public institutions is at an all-time low and trust in Government and governance is weak; civil society needs to be strengthened”
The former Deputy Premier under a Virgin Islands Party administration has since also accused the current Office holders of deliberately failing to adequately equip and resource the institutions that would protect governance and provide for greater transparency and accountability.
According to the learned Attorney, “there has been an ongoing failure to properly establish and provide appropriate and adequate resources for the various Commissions and institutions of governance provided for under The Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 (the Constitution), and the failure to enact legislation as contemplated by section 68 of the Constitution to properly insulate the Commissions and make them effective.”
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