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Gov Rankin concerned about recent amendments to Register of Interests Act

- Believes effect of amendments is to 'significantly restrict public access’ to Register
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has expressed concern that the recently amended Register of Interests Act may significantly restrict public access to the Register. Photo: Facebook
The Register of Interests (Amendment) Act 2022 was passed at the Sixth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre on July 21, 2022. Photo: VINO/File
The Register of Interests (Amendment) Act 2022 was passed at the Sixth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre on July 21, 2022. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has expressed concern that the recently amended Register of Interests Act may significantly restrict public access to the Register.

The Register of Interests (Amendment) Act 2022 was passed at the Sixth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on July 21, 2022.

Governor Rankin, speaking alongside Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) at a press conference to update the public on the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Recommendations on August 10, 2022, said the Register of Interests legislation was intended to increase transparency and accountability to ensure that Members of the House of Assembly complete their entries and that the register is fully accessible to the public. 

This is an important cornerstone for any elected body to ensure that those elected to represent the people do not financially or personally benefit through an unfair advantage.  A public register also helps to ensure that those in elected roles are accountable to the people they serve.

According to Governor Rankin, he only received the text of the amendments on the morning of August 10, 2022, and will need to study them and their impact in detail. 

‘I am concerned’- Gov Rankin

But I am concerned that the effect of the amendments is to significantly restrict public access to the Register. 

If so, that would run counter to the new culture of transparency and accountability towards which we are working following the Commission of Inquiry, in line with the commitments made in the framework document.

The Governor said the Bill has not yet formally reached him for assent and he will need to consider its wording carefully.

During the Commission of Inquiry in the Virgin Islands last year it was found that elected officials were mostly in violation of the Act.

16 Responses to “Gov Rankin concerned about recent amendments to Register of Interests Act”

  • Ninja (11/08/2022, 09:02) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    You see what's going on here, we are to believe that everything is going well when the Governor is still openly knowing what results the COI is expecting from the legislators.
    The Governor finds that our leaders are hiding everything from we the people who put them there and he is working around them with the laws they wish to implement, but can they come back to us when they get stuck? Oh no
    • steups (12/08/2022, 12:34) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      This is one of the most stupid comments I ever read. What does the Registrar of Interest Act have to do with the legislators hiding things from the people of the BVI. What you should be asking yourself is why the Governor exempt from this Act that he pushing. Any Governor that comes here and is operating and working in the BVI for the people of the BVI as he claims should also declare his interests!!! He is here and it is important that his office is also transparent. How come transparency only is only one way when it comes to the UK and their officials that they put in place?!?! WAKE UP BVI!
      • @steups (14/08/2022, 09:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Your comment is the stupid one. The Governor is financed by the UK. Our representatives are financed by us, the tax payers. That’s why they need to be accountable to us with full disclosure.
  • Hmm (11/08/2022, 09:18) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    These politicians are still trying to cover their backs and move in secrecy? You all are already on a tightrope from associating with Andrew. prayer circles yea right. prayers to whom?
  • Yes to UK (11/08/2022, 10:21) Like (35) Dislike (5) Reply
    Governor Rankin there is nothing to discuss the Register of Interests is one of the COI remediation's
    and it was not done within the time limit plus the house had big debate then Premier didn't do anything about it, if that don't tell you that these people are not going to change, you need to take over the running of the country and stop fooling around with these people.
    • Citizen (11/08/2022, 13:27) Like (2) Dislike (13) Reply
      If you want white people to rule you, you can just move to the UK and leave us alone. This country dose not belongs to the UK
      • yeah (11/08/2022, 14:41) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
        That’s exactly what an overseas territory is, you do belong to the UK
    • mumu (12/08/2022, 04:07) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Why don’t you mind your interest ? Damn fool following rankin and UK who don’t practice what they preach. Rankin need to make clear his interest to. Don’t he hold public office too in the BVI? Smh
  • god is watching (11/08/2022, 11:43) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Message to Governor Rankin: Please, please, look into the bullying in some of these government offices. Some of us BVIslanders want to join in marches to protest against UK takeover, but they fail to see how they treat those they do not like on the job. We need to stop it!
    • mumu (12/08/2022, 04:14) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Rankin look into what? Wake up! Collect your money. Stop spending time about bullying because what is that in a work place? Go to work and go home. Who is rankin? This racist man is program to fool you like he’s a savior and frankly he don’t give a damn about you, your family or anyone in the Bvi. what wrong with you all people in this country? Smh
  • Shaun (11/08/2022, 21:35) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    The part that frightens me is that the uninformed keep calling for Uk direct rule. I am warming you, be careful what you ask for. When you get it you might be first in the line marching to the Governor’s office in protest of UK direct rule. I laugh at the idiots who advocate for UK Direct rule. Yet I believe thee majority that calls for direct rule have little to no ties to the VI.
  • Forbidden Truth (11/08/2022, 21:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    “This is an important cornerstone for any elected body to ensure that those elected to represent the people do not financially or personally benefit through an unfair advantage.  A public register also helps to ensure that those in elected roles are accountable to the people they serve.”

    When persons in power believe that they know more than the people they serve ' they begin to believe that they have a monopoly of brains and ideas. That's whdn sh** hits the fan.

  • mumu (12/08/2022, 04:20) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    I don’t give a damn what a politician have or don’t have. Really I will spend my time going to find out about them. How will that benefit me ? Tola people stop Ayo dummy ness and mind you all damn business. You will fine doing this you will be better off in every possible way. Jesss still today ayo still think it beneficial know about someone else and you life will just flourish man Ayo sickening
  • mumu (12/08/2022, 04:38) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Rankin go home! You have no shame, your country and your leaders are the worst. GO home and take that wicked mark collins with you and go implement the same recommendations that drinking Gary wrote on the UK. Much needed there. GO Go shameless man. Rankin and Collins wicked lot.
    To Mark your force will deal with your because of the badness you doing. They don’t like you. your support in the force are those who want ranks. The weak yes sir man dem. The real officer will deal with you shortly. You just outright FAKE! I forget to mention those that you bring from overseas have a few good ones in between they to will deal with you. I see the reasons god keep you at your height. Smh
  • WOWO (12/08/2022, 10:28) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Governor its ok that you are not pleased with the changes as long as the people of the BVI are. somethings cannot be cut and paste from the UK to the BVI. Public person still have a right to privacy or don't they? can you imagine knowing the Net worth of people in this 2x4 country, make it super easy for the sophisticated criminals to borrow somebody child in exchange a ransom and don't you dear say you don't have it. I know everything you own.
  • Gov Rankin Right!! (12/08/2022, 15:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    our politicians are elected by us, the people and we have a right to know what their interests are because there is too much nonsense going on behind the scenes that we know nothing about and it's merely because of their different interests. What is there to hide? If they wanted to keep things a secret they shouldn't have run for office! We the people have a right to know what their salaries are as well so Governor Rankin, please held all of them accountable because we want a transparent government. We've been bull-shitted for too long now and it's about time the nonsense stop.


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