Governor Duncan’s departure delayed until after August Festival
The past two Governors of the Virgin Islands took leave in July of their departure year and never returned, leaving the local Deputy Governor at the time to act for months.
However, in a turnaround the current Governor, whose tenure will end in August 2017, has decided not to take leave in July and will instead depart the Territory after the 2017 August festivities.
In communication with our newsroom via an Email, Mr Duncan's policy officer Ms Maria Mays said, "I thought it might be useful to provide a brief update about the Governor’s departure as there appears to be some confusion on when he is due to leave."
The Officer stated that Governor Duncan "is not departing the Territory until after the Emancipation Festival."
I leave when I am good & ready!
It is unclear why this Governor has not stuck to tradition, where most Governors scheduled to depart in August will take leave in July and not return after vacation.
Two years within his tenure, after taking office on August 15, 2014, there were loud cries for Mr Duncan to be recalled by the British Government because of many unpopular decisions he took, according to his critics, including talk show host and retired civil servant Edmund G. Maduro.
His recent decision; however, to evoke his power under the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007 to take money from the Consolidated Fund to give to the police, courts and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), was welcomed by many residents in the face of an upsurge in criminal activities, including homicides. Even Mr Maduro, one of his strongest critics, publicly supported the move.
While here until August, Governor Duncan and his family will remain at the state-funded Governor's mansion in Road Town, the capital city. His office also promised that "he will make a decision shortly on exit interviews."
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