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Governor alone cannot be blamed for neglecting public service– Gov Rankin

- Points to ‘modern partnership’ at laying blame on both the Governor & Governor’s office
Head of the Public Service, Governor John J. Rankin, CMG said the blame for the neglect of the public service over the years in the Virgin Islands (VI), cannot rest solely on the Governor and his office. Photo: CoI/Youtube
While the Commission has been calling on past Legislators, Premiers, and Public Servants to provide evidence, it remains unclear why the Commission could not call upon Ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jasper, John S. Duncan or other past governors to provide evidence, based on their time in the VI public service. Photo: VINO/File/GIS
While the Commission has been calling on past Legislators, Premiers, and Public Servants to provide evidence, it remains unclear why the Commission could not call upon Ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jasper, John S. Duncan or other past governors to provide evidence, based on their time in the VI public service. Photo: VINO/File/GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Head of the Public Service, Governor John J. Rankin, CMG said the blame for the neglect of the public service over the years in the Virgin Islands (VI) cannot rest solely on the Governor and his office.

Governor Rankin make the statement at Day 50 hearing of the Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry on October 19, 2021.

Who is responsible for public service? 

According to Governor Rankin, “If the suggestion that the Governor is solely responsible for what grade an individual is at and they are paid for this job, then I think that that is too narrow an understanding of terms and conditions of service,” he said.

“The Governor is responsible within those terms of conditions for ensuring that we have an independent, professional, well qualified public service with developmental opportunities.”

He said more responsibilities include ensuring there is training, good performance pay and procedures for dealing with those who are not performing so well.

“And all that requires in terms of the training and pay, and the equipment and IT with which public servants work and need to do their job require an adequate budget being provided for that and then the training is to which I’ve drawn attention to… so we need to work together,” he said.

According to Governor Rankin, his embattled predecessor Augustus J. U. Jaspert had proposed a partnership approach with Government, and therefore, persons need to move forward in the interest of the Government.

Jaspert was known to have rocky relations with the elected Government of Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and was accused of bullying the administration and causing strains between the elected government and the UK.

Gov't also responsible for the neglect of public servants - Gov Rankin 

When questioned on the charge of the public service being neglected by the Governor, the FCDO and the UK over the years, Governor Rankin said the accusations may not be correct.

He said if more could be done in the area, then the suggestion would be for the elected government as well as the Governor’s office to achieve more in modern partnership.

“To lay all the failings at the foot of the Governor’s Office is simply not a proper reflection of the position,” he said.

18 Responses to “Governor alone cannot be blamed for neglecting public service– Gov Rankin”

  • My girl (20/10/2021, 09:07) Like (4) Dislike (31) Reply
    Set of oppressors can’t believe in 2021 the bvi still have a governor
  • Native Senior Citizen (20/10/2021, 09:18) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
    Yes, Governor John J. Rankin, say it again so that the many political hypocrites will here that it is the politicians in power responsibility to manage our finances wisely in the best intrest of the community needs, lack of greediness.
    • josiah'sbay (20/10/2021, 13:01) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      @Native Senior Citizen: Looking at one side of the argument is never a good thing. The governance of the VI is an hierarchical structured arrangement with the Governor being at the top. When Government falter or fail and any part of that governmental failure is under the purview of the Governor he must accept his share of the blame for that failure and not deflect, transfer or deny the blame.
    • @Native Senior Citizen (20/10/2021, 15:35) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      1,000% correct. Need I say anymore? Thank you for your transparent comment.
  • The Reaper (20/10/2021, 09:54) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    He is talking fact
  • PT9 (20/10/2021, 09:59) Like (31) Dislike (2) Reply
    Geoffrey Cox, Thinks he is so smart to talk about the Governors sitting in the cabinet for 20-30 years and saying nothing putting the blame on the Governors for letting all the crap happen but it looks like he doesn't know crap.
  • My girl (20/10/2021, 10:36) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    Pure double standards, now they know about partnership
  • @ mr RANKIN (20/10/2021, 11:03) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    SOON YOU WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS ( RACIST ) AND I BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY READ BETWEEN THE LINES ON CLANDISTINE ACTIVITIES OF THESE PIRANHAS THAT IS O THE LOOSE HERE
    • @ mr RANKIN (20/10/2021, 11:48) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
      But they being racist is a fact. The very office of the governor is a symbol of racism and white supremacy
  • Excuses Govt.. (20/10/2021, 11:41) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    They want all the power and control, but when things go wrong its someone elses fault...
  • Xxx (20/10/2021, 11:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh now he says that when they do what they want these one sided governors
  • Be ye gone (20/10/2021, 12:25) Like (4) Dislike (14) Reply
    Get y'all racist backside out of here. The bvi been surviving on it's own power
  • @ @ mr rakin (20/10/2021, 14:20) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    the mind is a terrible thing to waste , and it's one of your tentacles playing tricks on your deceptive mind . so you are welcome to continue fooling yourself
  • Dancing with the Stars (20/10/2021, 14:39) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    What happened in the dark is coming to light. I guessed it is obvious that the British government is tighten the noose around the neck of the Territory. The people need to demonstrate their loyalty to the country and work towards their emancipation from the slave Master.
    The Bates Hill fiasco is coming back to light. There are rumors of establishing a Naval Base on Anegada in the future to monitor the drug trafficking between South America and further afield. Time will tell.
  • Native Senior Citizen/ ethnicity: black skin. (20/10/2021, 15:14) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    When I was a young man that be if my uncle said to me, "when your own lice bite you it hurts more the if others do." What he said then is perfectly true today, except that many of our own political leaders have bitten us, and continuing, a d pointing blame at the UK, former Governor Augustus J. U. Jasper's, present Governor John J. Rankin, the CoI, black haters, etc. But they have not, in the name of good governance blamed themselves for misspending our finances unjustly, neither would those do, because of their greedy mindset, and that of their supporters. Amen.
  • Interesting (20/10/2021, 15:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    https://www.rt.com/op-ed/537905-gaddafi-death-ten-years-libya/

    Not related to the governor. An interesting look into the result of modern colonialist activity and Franco African economy. It is also interesting that the anti government sentiment has suddenly disappeared from the blue site.

    Perhaps it will be said an education campaign is needed with the new pro vi narrative in full swing. Maybe the funding for the trolls was cut after they riled people up it wasn’t worth the kick back or maybe it’s all in my imagination.
  • Mrs Tubman (20/10/2021, 18:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Accolades to the Auditor General !!!
  • Ning (20/10/2021, 21:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh please, if the COI was interested in mismanagement and corruption the place to start would be every government department and their antiquated systems. Abuse of time, conflict of interest, in the year 2021 still collecting cash in revenue collecting departments and the under the table sales of government services, but that would shine a big bright light on who is responsible and should be held accountable for the departments and their personnel. Yup! Yup!


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