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Board members from previous admin could frustrate new gov't’s mandate- Hon Wheatley

- said this is one of the reasons statutory boards should not exceed term of ruling gov't
Minister for Natural Resources, Labour, Immigration and Social Security Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said there is evidence that board members from a previous administration could frustrate the mandate of a new government, which is why they are sometimes changed. Photo: GIS/File
Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) appeared before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on the matter of Statutory Boards on September 8, 2021. Photo: YouTube
Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) appeared before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on the matter of Statutory Boards on September 8, 2021. Photo: YouTube
WICKHAM'S CAY II, Tortola, VI- Minister for Natural Resources, Labour, Immigration and Social Security Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said there is evidence that board members from a previous administration could frustrate the mandate of a new government, which is why they are sometimes changed.

The minister said this was one of the reasons for the policy of the government that statutory boards would not exceed the terms of the ruling government.

“The possibility of that happening is real. There is evidence of this,” he said to the attorney to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Mr Bilal M. Rawat, during his evidence to the CoI on Wednesday, September 8, 2021.

Mr Rawat had asked, “That is the underlying reason behind the policy, isn’t it, that what you did not want was to end up as ministers with boards that frustrated your mandate?”

“I think every minister would have that concern. These Boards are supposed to be autonomous; you are hoping that the mandate you have is shared by the Board, but it is a risk that it might not be shared the way you think it is going to be shared. The aim is to reduce that risk as much as possible. You don’t want yes men or yes women either.”

Sometimes 'no members are replaced'- Hon Wheatley

Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom then asked, “Under this policy, any new administration not just yours, all board members are replaced?”

Honourable Wheatley replied that this was one of the options available under the government policy regarding boards. In some cases, a few members would be replaced, in other cases, no members are replaced, and the third option would be to change the entire Board.

“In our context, I don’t see any real reason to change every board member now, but maybe in another context or something, it may be the wise thing to do. What this does is it gives you the option of standing the best chance of achieving your mandate,” Hon Wheatley stated.

4 Responses to “Board members from previous admin could frustrate new gov't’s mandate- Hon Wheatley”

  • Autonomous means autonomous (09/09/2021, 09:48) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Until it doesn't, apparently Mr W.
    • Fay (09/09/2021, 17:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      He simply doesn’t understand that you can’t make a political decision to have the power to clear out board members simply because they disagree with the government of the day. They are in post because they are non political and competent. If they are competent yiu must accept they will do their job no matter their political beliefs.
  • Ministerial switch up needed.. (09/09/2021, 09:56) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Watching his testimony was disappointing. I will say no more. Give Decastro an opportunity. Watching Mr. Abott was a pleasure he made me feel proud..
    • WOW (09/09/2021, 12:13) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      What has DeCastro done in tourism or trade. She has held both posts. Where's he is????


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