Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

New Gov’t faces challenging times - Gov Jaspert

-Says looking forward to working with VIP to move territory forward
With the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government taking up the helm of leadership of the Territory, His Excellency the Governor, Augustus J. U. Jaspert says they are doing so in especially challenging times. Photo: VINO
The Governor made his remarks during his address to those present at Thanksgiving Service in celebration of the inauguration of the newly elected VIP government on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, where he noted that ‘with challenges, comes opportunities,’ and that he is looking forward to working with the new government in partnership. Photo: Team of Reporters
The Governor made his remarks during his address to those present at Thanksgiving Service in celebration of the inauguration of the newly elected VIP government on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, where he noted that ‘with challenges, comes opportunities,’ and that he is looking forward to working with the new government in partnership. Photo: Team of Reporters
VIP team in praise and worship. Photo: Team of Reporters
VIP team in praise and worship. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - With the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government taking up the helm of leadership of the Territory, His Excellency the Governor, Augustus J. U. Jaspert says they are doing so in especially challenging times.

The Governor made those remarks during his address to those present at a Thanksgiving Service in celebration of the inauguration of the newly elected VIP government on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, where he noted that ‘with challenges, comes opportunities,’ and that he is looking forward to working with the new government in partnership.

Strengthening the Economy

"We must continue to find ways to strengthen our economy through bolstering our twin economic pillars of tourism and financial services as we recover from the events of 2017, and through growing other sectors,” the governor told those gathered for the ceremony.

He said that now, the VIP Government will find support from an incredibly dedicated public service, “A public service that is transforming to become stronger, more resilient, and more effective in delivering service with excellence to the public we serve.” 

According to Mr Jaspert, ministries are already working hard on transformation programmes, including in the areas of public-private partnerships, greening the public service and measures to improve efficiency for the customer’s benefit. 

He says another key element in the transformation process is the implementation of further good governance measures.

Transparency & Accountability

“I know that the new administration is keen on preserving and promoting openness and transparency as outlined in their manifesto…  I look forward to working with them on this, including on the introduction of a new Ministerial Code,” he said in reference to the VIP mandate to be more open and transparent as opposed to the secretive Dr D. Orlando Smith led National Democratic Party (NDP 1) government.

He says, “I also look forward to working with the new Government on other priority areas outlined in their manifesto...  Such as recovery, economic diversification, disaster preparedness and supporting the financial services industry.” 

Mr Jaspert further stated that he welcomes the strong sense of partnership to deliver for the people of the Virgin Islands (VI), “A partnership where every partner in Government is respected, valued and plays their role to the full – the elected Government, the Governor, the public service, and the United Kingdom,” he said.

“With all four of these working effectively together, the BVI can approach the future with confidence… with partnership and unity we can best serve the people of the Virgin Islands," the Governor noted.

9 Responses to “New Gov’t faces challenging times - Gov Jaspert”

  • Sounds Good . (08/03/2019, 11:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The First year is always good. The problems over the years are the second and third year and mostly the second term..We will see..
  • Guest (08/03/2019, 11:26) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just keep a watchful eye govenor we trust and hope you would not let anyone get away with anything under the pretense that it would make he country look bad. We trust you will always keep transparency to the fullest..........
    • @ Guest (08/03/2019, 12:08) Like (12) Dislike (15) Reply
      He sit there and let the ndp get away with murder he better back off the people’s government
      • @ @guest (08/03/2019, 21:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I thought that was why the NDP was voted out. If that is the mentality you have that the new Government can do it because the old one did, might as well you all had leave the NDP in. Unless you are one to benefit from the corruption. Why drain the swamp to put same but new things in the swamp. Dat mek sense
  • Politico Nuevo (08/03/2019, 12:25) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    ‘with challenges, comes opportunities,’. Indeed, the new government will be faced with a myriad of challenges, ie, from the infrastructure to community facilities (education, health, police, fire, recreational facilities, social services) to the economy to utilities.......etc. The new government got the oportunity to right the tilting. But it must take a holistic approach to arresting the issues. However, the scatter shot approach taking so far in regards to policies, programmes......etc is concerning. Understanding that the new government wants to hit the ground running and leading change. However, the change must be anchored by a strategic, structured and integrated plan. Lack of a plan makes government a prisoner of reaction. Quick actions must be balanced against long-term actions.
  • E.Leonard (08/03/2019, 15:36) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    This period in VI/BVI history is probably one of the most challenging time to lead change. Before the devastating hurricanes of September 2017 (Irma and Maria), the territory had an array of needs and challenges and the hurricane exacerbated the challenges. These challenges included constructing/reconstructing the infrastructure, diversifying the economy, improving quality of life and standard of living, boosting employment, protecting and preserving environmental and natural resources, enhancing quality of life services, revamping and improving education and training, enhancing health services, improving social services, arresting violent and property crimes, lowering cost of living.....etc. Solving the myriad of problems requires defining a vision/mission, setting goals/objectives, developing strategies/tactics and implementing actions.

    On February 25, voters voted for a change to lead the territory through this challenging period; they assigned this formidable task to the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) led by Hon Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R-1). Leading this change will not be a walk in the park. The change will require residents patience, understanding, cooperation, collaboration ........etc. The way to eat an elephant is one piece at a time. Premier Fahie’s first step after conducting a situational analysis is crafting a national development plan (NDP). All action going forward should be based on the NDP; it must be the centre of gravity. clearly, it will take months to deliver a NDP. Effective planning is a core ingredient to successful lead this change.

    In the interim, Premier Fahie needs some quick wins; quick wins are no brainers, low hanging fruit, slam dunks......etc. Quick wins must be visible, yield immediate benefits and easily deliverable. Quick wins motivate the team, maintain momentum......etc.
  • Gov J (08/03/2019, 15:50) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    “I know that the new administration is keen on preserving and promoting openness and transparency....". Take note: "PRESERVING AND PROMOTING openness and transparency". Please do not interpret incorrectly. To "preserve" suggesting that the noted openness and transparency was already established. So the governor is clearly asking that it be MAINTAINED not recreated.
  • My Take (09/03/2019, 06:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have full confidence in Hon Fahie and the VIP team


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.