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

CoI must consider culture of VI regarding board appointments- Premier argues

- after it was suggested that no efforts made to select the best candidates via internal process of board nominations
Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie has argued that the internal process of selecting board members for appointment as opposed to always advertising the position is one that is the Culture of the VI, rather than a process that is indicative of a lack of good governance. Photo: Youtube/HoA
Hon Andrew A. Fahie moved to argue this position at today’s September 14, 2021, Virgin Islands (VI) commission of Inquiry Day 33 of the hearings after it was suggested that the process used by the Fahie administration for the selection of board members in some instances, was as a result of no sincere efforts being made the select the best candidates. Photo: CoI/Youtube
Hon Andrew A. Fahie moved to argue this position at today’s September 14, 2021, Virgin Islands (VI) commission of Inquiry Day 33 of the hearings after it was suggested that the process used by the Fahie administration for the selection of board members in some instances, was as a result of no sincere efforts being made the select the best candidates. Photo: CoI/Youtube
WICKHAM'S CAY II, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has argued that the internal process of selecting board members for appointment, as opposed to always advertising the position, is one that is the Culture of the VI rather than a process that is indicative of a lack of good governance.

Hon Fahie moved to argue this position at today’s September 14, 2021, Virgin Islands (VI) commission of Inquiry Day 33 of the hearings, after it was suggested that the process used by the Fahie administration for the selection of board members in some instances was as a result of no sincere efforts being made to select the best candidates.

CoI must consider VI culture  

According to Premier Fahie, “If the United Kingdom is considering a law to be passed or a new policy, they will not base it on the culture of the Virgin Islands or in Afghanistan or anywhere else, it would have to be based on the United Kingdom.

“And if the BVI is doing a new policy in law, they would have to what the culture is… and also bearing in mind to recognise what [is] happening internationally. That is key,” he said.

As such, Premier Fahie said the culture of the VI, in terms of how an issue is being dealt with, comes from a long 71-year history and that must be factored in by the CoI.

He said the informal process of selecting board members internally is not one where persons are unknown, rather, many of the individuals are already known.

Premier's officer taking steps to transform the system 

“We recognise in the Premier’s Office, long before the CoI started, is that this is now evolving, because our population has moved… up to 35,000 and counting,” he said.

He said although the process has merit there was still a need for adjustments and his administration has moved towards a stage of advertising the position for boards even amidst the cultural dynamics of the territory.

“So, Commissioner you would have to excuse me when I receive a question from the commission 'why wasn’t the post advertised?' That’s a legitimate question coming from your lens out of the UK or a bigger country,” he said.

“For us, most of that was not even part of most of the act,” he said.

While the Premier agreed that advertising of positions is good, he said it must also be explored whether that is the best way to get the best candidates for the job.

CoI commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickingbottom agreed that while it may not be the best way to get board members, he suggested that the informal process where board nominations happen internally, lacking an external element, would disadvantage some persons from applying for the job.

Advertising not the flagbearer of good Governance - Premier 

Premier Fahie said, however, that using advertising as the flagbearer for good governance, which cannot guarantee the best candidates, would be an unjust position. 

He said, however, his administration is not only engaging in advertising the positions of the board chairman but rather, moving to advertise all other board members appointed under the government in the VI.

20 Responses to “CoI must consider culture of VI regarding board appointments- Premier argues”

  • Rubber Duck (14/09/2021, 17:48) Like (48) Dislike (48) Reply

    Good luck Andrew with the rac**t oppressors

    • Rubber Duck (15/09/2021, 00:42) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wannabe. But too dumb.
    • Who Dat (15/09/2021, 10:39) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who is Foy to tell the COI what they “must” do?
      They can do what they like within the law. Nothing to do with our culture. After all, in some cultures it’s ok to rape women. Does that mean it’s acceptable?
  • Dictator (14/09/2021, 18:27) Like (57) Dislike (38) Reply
    I think they are considering the culture and whether it is a culture of corruption
    • To Dictator (15/09/2021, 07:19) Like (1) Dislike (15) Reply
      Then all cultures will fail so leave BVI alone.
    • born Tortolian (15/09/2021, 15:08) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Me for one would never ever go in politics or serve on any government committee or board, neither my wife and my children as long as me live and my colleagues saying the same thing. You do you dam, you don't you dam. Me can hardly wait to see who going make up the new boards and key government positions, the UK people will be gainfully employed in our little country like Turks. Well Me boi
  • musa (14/09/2021, 19:32) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    I had hope
  • wellwell (14/09/2021, 20:09) Like (22) Dislike (14) Reply
    So then , to put it as it should be put. IT IS POLITICAL when picking board members. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH
  • Noooooo (14/09/2021, 23:03) Like (41) Dislike (4) Reply
    Which culture? Corruption? Nepotism? Cronyism? Favouritism? Racism? Xenophobia? Down islandism? This is so nonsensical.
  • Ructchie (15/09/2021, 01:13) Like (27) Dislike (3) Reply
    People going to fraid to take up a board position now , dis going backfire. Nobody want go be under the microscop for pickens
  • history teacher (15/09/2021, 02:12) Like (21) Dislike (23) Reply
    The British culture is 400 years of slavery and oppression
  • poor political leadership (15/09/2021, 03:38) Like (30) Dislike (18) Reply
    came so far from under the hands of the slave masters now as a people we are right back into hand of slave masters

    the shackles were removed in 1834 my goodness 2021 look as us

    not in the cane fields or cotton fields but live and direct globally via internet being interrogated by former slave masters

    i can see having a commission of inquiry if the united kingdom was sending money to BVI and now trying to see how the money was spent

  • will (15/09/2021, 07:15) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    mr. Premier i appreciate the fact that you recognize that there is a problem but you have not pin point the problem i really think that you are on the tail end of the problem
  • Bull (15/09/2021, 09:22) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    Interesting that so many choose to see this through the prism of slavery when that just means we all suffer because you ignore instances of our own stealing from us to enrich themselves, walking away laughing at us and now turning around saying, “Look, my accusers ancestors did bad things to yours!”
    Like it makes them stealing from us somehow heroic, an act of great rebellion done for all of us.
    It’s bull.
    • @Bull (15/09/2021, 11:04) Like (0) Dislike (15) Reply
      Nobody in the BVI steal anything from UK. So leave BVI alone. These colonizers want to push us around because we are British territory they think they should be in control. God is in control not aryou.
    • BuzzBvi (15/09/2021, 11:20) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      A lot of things not done or hidden in the name of Racism in VI.
  • stop (15/09/2021, 10:48) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Premier Fahie said the culture of the VI, in terms of how an issue is being dealt with, comes from a long 71-year history and that must be factored in by the CoI.

    The Constitution of the Islands was introduced in 1971 and amended in 1979, 1982, 1991, 1994, 2000 and 2007. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the House of Assembly. I don't know how he came up 71 years.
  • Real Talk (15/09/2021, 13:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He need to pay attention to hid district
  • Mission Accomplished (15/09/2021, 15:14) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    School children say that quite a few board members say they stepping down from the various authorites, how they never do nothing unethical and they dont need this s###


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.