Governor called out for 'turning blind eye' to own failures & wishing to penalise Gov’t
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The Premier in a statement yesterday, January 8, 2023, said the CoI reforms were some 50% completed, according to the Implementation Framework between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the UK Government as of November 30, 2023.
He said within the 50 Recommendations, there are 131 Actions and of these 80 (61%) have been completed, while there are 34 actions (26%) that are in the red zone, meaning that they are not yet completed, and the deadline agreed for their completion has passed.
“The December report is currently being finalised, so I will be able to update you on additional progress within the next two weeks. However, today, I want to give you some perspective specifically on these red zone actions and where we stand on them. I would not ordinarily give this level of detail in a speech but given the Governor’s recent statement, I think that it is essential that I give a full measure of clarity, so you, the people of the Virgin Islands can understand where the CoI Implementation stands.”
Dr Wheatley said some four actions will need constitutional amendment for them to be marked as completed and two of the actions relate to Declaring House of Assembly Interests and another two relate to the Jury Act.
The Premier pointed out that some four actions are waiting on the Governor himself, “as he admits in his report, he has faced challenges balancing the need to implement the recommended reforms with the capacity to bring those reforms into effect.”
Gov wants to penalise Gov’t – Premier
“The reforms within his area of responsibility, including those in law and order and prisons are urgent and I find it questionable that the Governor can turn a blind eye to his own failure to make adequate progress on these reforms, but wishes to penalise the Government of the Virgin Islands for its capacity challenges,” he said.
Premier Wheatley said two further actions have actually advanced almost to completion but are now dependent on external action outside of the government's control. “These relate to our Criminal Procedure Rules reform. We have completed the draft for Cabinet’s approval but the Chief Justice has asked us to allow the OECS review to be completed before we advance our own so they can be in synergy. We have been advised that this will be completed by the end of March.”
It was noted too that the Audit Department is working assiduously to complete two reviews. "The Audit of COVID Assistance Grants covers two actions and the other has to do with Audit of Contracts over $100,000."
The Premier detailed that there are also critical law enforcement reviews that span three actions and which were initially delayed because the reviewers first selected could not conduct the reviews. “I should point out that the delay in this area has worked out to the benefit of the Virgin Islands as the reviewers now engaged wish to maintain a long-term relationship with our law enforcement bodies, and will help us to build capacity and standards moving forward.”
He said outside the red zone, there are eight actions ongoing throughout the CoI Implementation process and cannot be marked as completed until the full process is finished.
“Finally, we had completed much of our election reform but in consideration of the 2023 election, we agreed not to make significant changes to our electoral process right before a general election. Following the election, the Elections Supervisor and external observers have submitted their reports and their recommendations will be considered for incorporation into the reforms that we already intend to implement,” he said.
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29 Responses to “Governor called out for 'turning blind eye' to own failures & wishing to penalise Gov’t”
They want to make sure that when they are ready to pack up and leave their Falling Babylon Kingdom the UK, that they can run to our shores and receive the many privileges that we enjoy. They are trying to constitute laws that safeguards their citizens wellbeing. They have their plans...but God has His!
Imagine the Governor wants more power to allow him to ignore the democratic process to do the following(Note these are just a few of his alleged intentions cloaked as good governance):
1) Take over Immigration: He wants to immediately give over 4000 of his kind status so they can out number the people of the BVI and then allow them to have a secondary take over plan.
2) Pass the new police act on his own: He wants to give the police unlimited powers to do many anti-democratic things such as but not limited to searching anyone's home without a warrant and do so on mere suspicion. Talk about making the BVI a police state where people will have no basic human nor democratic rights.
3) He wants to pass the Jury Act: Here is where he wants the cases to proceed without any jury to decided the cases but rather have the Judge themselves decide if you are guilty. Not only is this anti democratic but it represents dictatorship as all the UK will do next is flood the position of Judges with persons from the UK who have like minds as them against the locals and Caribbean people. It is another tier of their take over plan.
I will stop there for now but people of the BVI these people have no good intention for us. They have no respect for our democracy and democratic rights. It is time to wake up and stand up for what is right and represents true democracy and not sit back and allow a wicked agenda by the Brits to get through.
The Police Bill submitted by the Governor has been held in abeyance by the VI Elected resulting in missed efforts and opportunities to police effectively and hindering the efforts of the Governor ...and the,Governor has receipts..A prime example of local Official participation and their enabling of crime in these VI.
Ahhh so suffer the consequences. We the people suffer daily even with death and terminal illness due to the duly elected lack of responsibility.
Sowande gave his word and signature regarding COi follow up but reneged as expected but cannot accept or comprehend his insensibility and lack of responsibility..He .im position as Premier is a danger to these VI and the future if it's people. No humility or regret just an ignorant nonsensical dangerous bully.
They cannot and should not be Trusted ever.