CoI reforms survey gives confidence governance is moving in right direction- Gov Pruce
This is according to Governor Daniel Pruce in reference to the findings of the public survey on the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations.
The document, ‘Public Feedback Implementation of the Commission of Inquiry Recommendations’ was made public by the Governor on May 9, 2025.
“Given that many of the reforms are in their infancy, it is likely that the impact is because of shifting attitudes rather than delivery. The next phase, focused on education and implementation, must be prioritised to ensure the people of the Virgin Islands experience the benefits of the CoI reforms,” Governor Pruce added.
The Governor said the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen J. Doughty MP, tasked him with gathering the views of the public to inform his assessment.
He said a general survey was widely publicised, and those with experience of applications for Social Assistance, Crown Land and Residence & Belonger Status were asked to complete questions directly related to these themes.
“The three policy areas were chosen because these are areas where reforms are targeted, where the reform is resident-focused, and where there has been some sort of change. The purpose of the survey was to assess whether there are direct or indirect impacts from the CoI which have resulted in a positive, negative or neutral experience for the people of the Virgin Islands.”
In the absence of baseline data, respondents were asked when they interacted with services, and a comparison was conducted between the experiences of those who applied for services before and after the publication of the CoI report in 2022.
‘Improvements can be observed in many areas’- Gov Pruce
Governor Pruce said the response to the survey was encouraging, 621 responses were received, and that the thoughtful and considered comments of those who participated represented a wide cross-section of society.
“Improvements can be observed in many areas. For example, 44% of people who applied for Residence Status within the last three years reported that the eligibility criteria were clear, this compares with 33% of those who applied over three years ago,” Governor Pruce said.
Meanwhile, the ultimate decision on whether to lift the controversial Order in Council, which currently reserves the power for the United Kingdom (UK) Government to impose direct rule over the Virgin Islands, lies solely with UK Foreign Secretary David L. Lammy and Minister for Overseas Territories Stephen J. Doughty, Governor Pruce said.
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10 Responses to “CoI reforms survey gives confidence governance is moving in right direction- Gov Pruce”
Immigrating department as gone to the dogs !At time you all need to send secret shoppers there to see what’s going on inside .