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8 yrs later Legislators still refusing to comply with Register of Interests Act - SFC Report

Registrar of Interest, Mrs Victoreen Romney-Varlack told the Standing Finance Committee that a Register of Interest 'does not exist even after 2008 (eight years later) in accordance with the Register of Interest Act.' Photo: Facebook
With all the chatter and unconfirmed reports about which politician is stealing money from Government, which one bought a mega yacht and which one continues to engage in conflict of interest in order to pay himself directly and indirectly, eight years later most of the elected officials in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) have still not declared their interests to the Register of Interests. Photo: VINO/File
With all the chatter and unconfirmed reports about which politician is stealing money from Government, which one bought a mega yacht and which one continues to engage in conflict of interest in order to pay himself directly and indirectly, eight years later most of the elected officials in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) have still not declared their interests to the Register of Interests. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With all the chatter and unconfirmed reports about which politician is stealing money from Government, which one bought a mega yacht and which one continues to engage in conflict of interest in order to pay himself directly and indirectly, eight years later most of the elected officials in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) have still not declared their interests to the Register of Interests.

This information was made public by the Government Registrar of Interest, Mrs Victoreen Romney-Varlack.

She was at the time testifying before the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee (SFC).

What is the Register of Interests Office?

The Office of the Register of Interests' main function is governed by the Constitution and the Register of Interests Act 2006.

It requires, among others, for Members of the HoA, the Speaker and the Attorney General to make declarations of their interests. The Law requires that this should take place upon the Member of the HoA taking office and secondly, on the anniversary of the sequential date in office.

Register does not exist! What are they hiding?

However, Mrs Romney-Varlack told the Standing Finance Committee that “such a Register does not exist even after 2008 (eight years later) in accordance with the Register of Interest Act.”

Legislators seem to be determined not to declare their interests, as it was noted that a Standing Select Committee comprising of Members of the HoA should be appointed to approve the format of the Register.

However, according to the SFC Report, since the Committee was not appointed, the Register has not been formatted.

While it seems like HoA Members were silent on this subject, Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Archibald C. Christian thanked the Register of Interests' Chief for encouraging the Members of the HoA over the years to complete their delegation forms and submitting them to Mrs Romney-Varlack’s office in a timely manner.

The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) government has been promising this matter would be addressed from since it was first elected to office in 2003-2007, however, to date there has been no action.

21 Responses to “8 yrs later Legislators still refusing to comply with Register of Interests Act - SFC Report”

  • Voter Too (04/04/2016, 22:26) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    they got a lot to hide trust we
  • wize up (04/04/2016, 22:39) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    there is something brewing in this territory: I suggest the citzens stop playing politics because there is a need to eradicate crooked elected officials...we need a political operation Lucas !!!!
  • Just thinking (04/04/2016, 22:41) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is ridiculous after 8 years!
    • VOW (05/04/2016, 01:14) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      What the hell is going on with these crocks we put in to run this country .Every thing is going wrong because we all see it start wrong .They are doing every thing to suit them selves and the governor doing nothing what he come here for I guess he is on a vacation. It is a shame what this government is doing people of the BVI wake up do not sleep like the PREMIER else when you wake the UK will already taken over this place . And believe me it is sooner than we think.
  • Really Now (04/04/2016, 22:54) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI going to hell under NDP & VIP favoritism, nepotism, and buddism are the hall mark of the BVI
  • just as well (04/04/2016, 23:00) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    "With all the chatter and unconfirmed reports about which politician is stealing money from Government, which one bought a mega yacht and which one continues to engage in conflict of interest in order to pay himself directly and indirectly, eight years later most of the elected officials in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) have still not declared their interests to the Register of Interests."


    BVI politician have no shame,
  • pancho (04/04/2016, 23:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    some of dem got lots to hide so they just need to pack their bags and go...
  • Really? (04/04/2016, 23:25) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    To add to all the woes of the BVIs, a culture of do as we say and not as we do.
  • foy (05/04/2016, 00:29) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    "no matter how fast moonlight run daylight will catch it"
  • UPROAR (05/04/2016, 06:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Also, after 8 years have we gotten our financial Statements? I may have missed it. I just need to know.
  • chad (05/04/2016, 07:51) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Meanwhile civil servants are mandated to complete private interest forms every year in order to maintain good standing. Thank God we aren't followers because who do we have to follow anyway? Sad.
  • wtf? (05/04/2016, 08:44) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Laws for you, but not for me." - new BVI government slogan for 2016. Wait, it's always been that way. Nothing abnormal here, move along, nothing to see.
  • cay (05/04/2016, 11:22) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where is the waste ah time man duncan?
  • Rebelsoul (05/04/2016, 12:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have zero respect for the people running this country. those rich white people too.
  • Boo (05/04/2016, 13:54) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who have cocoa in sun 'fraid rain. Respect for this bunch of hooligans in our house has long evaporated.... SMH
  • Political Observer (05/04/2016, 14:41) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The delay in establishing the Register is deliberate. Politicians know that if their interests were revealed it could be cause for much unflattering discussion. And have calculated that taking flack for not establishing the Register is less harmful than populating the register. They know or should have known that if they were successful at the polls that they were required by law to declare their interest. And should not have stand for election if they know they did not want to comply with the law. The Speaker of House needs to take action to bar them from the HOA, along with withholding other privileges of being an elected member. But wait did the Speaker declare her interest? Furthermore, they should not have been administered the oath of office if they had not declared their interest. Is this leadership that we should believe in? Is this transparency, accountability.....? There are no Pilates here. Both government and opposition are deliberately dragging their feet on this issue. Not hearing no loud voices from the Oppostion on this issue. What happen, cat tied their tongue? Ironic indeed! Governor need to weigh in on this issue and suspend non-conforming members until they truthfully meet the requirements.
  • W*F (05/04/2016, 16:08) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    If a committee was not formed, then what was Victoreen doing for the past eight years? She testified that the Register of interest did not exist, SFC asserted that the committee was not formed, I assume this to be the reason the Register of Interest was not active. This place is steadily getting worse.
  • VG (05/04/2016, 19:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    And yet not a man gone to jail
  • Collecting a wage (07/04/2016, 09:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    are we paying a wage, a office space and others costs for something that isn't being done? No one should be able to run for office yet alone be elected without disclosing all interests.


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