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HoA to validate status of some 688 persons from Fast-Track programme - Premier

- After audit found persons were simultaneously approved for residency & Belonger status
Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced that legislators will be heading back to the House of Assembly as early as Monday, April 17, 2023, to handle a matter with implications in the democratic process of the 2023 elections in the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/File
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG in his statement said it was not the fault of the individuals concerned, most of whom have lived in the VI and contributed to the community for more than 20 years and have legitimately operated in the belief that their status granted is valid. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG in his statement said it was not the fault of the individuals concerned, most of whom have lived in the VI and contributed to the community for more than 20 years and have legitimately operated in the belief that their status granted is valid. Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced that legislators will be heading back to the House of Assembly as early as Monday, April 17, 2023, to handle a matter with implications in the democratic process of the 2023 elections in the Virgin Islands.

This comes following an announcement from the Governor on April 14, 2023, that he intends to re-convene the House of Assembly after an audit has shown that some six-hundred and eighty-eight (688) persons who were simultaneously approved for Residency and Belonger status, under the Fast-Track program, should have been free of immigration controls twelve months prior to applying for Belonger status, according to the law.

Premier Wheatley in his support of the move said, “Democracy is a sacred trust. We all have a responsibility to protect and uphold democracy. It provides the legitimacy on which Government rests. The rule of law is the best way to ensure that we can participate in an orderly and meaningful way in a democracy.”

He said the Cabinet’s approval of those persons was done on the basis of the legal advice provided by the former Attorney General, Baba F. Aziz, however, the recent audit of the Fast Track Programme identified what appears to have been an honest oversight.

No Fault of the Individual - Premier 

Governor Rankin in his statement said it was not the fault of the individuals concerned, most of whom have lived in the VI and contributed to the community for more than 20 years and have legitimately operated in the belief that their status granted is valid.

“I agree with Governor Rankin that this was not the fault of any of the applicants. We live in a democracy, and it is important that no one who is qualified is disenfranchised because of this error.

Further, the Premier said he supports the Governor in recalling the House of Assembly so that this matter can be appropriately and immediately addressed.

“The House of Assembly has the power to validate the grant of the Residence and Belonger Certificates made by Cabinet and this is what we will seek to do as early as Monday the 17th April, at the beginning of next week. A Bill will be introduced in the House of Assembly to validate the Residence and Belonger status of the 688 persons identified in the audit report.”

The Premier assured that the issue is not one for “politicking” with a further assurance that in consultation with the Governor and advice from the Attorney General, Dawn J. Smith, the scheduled General Election of April 24, 2023, will proceed as planned as well as advanced polling day on the April 20, 2023.

36 Responses to “HoA to validate status of some 688 persons from Fast-Track programme - Premier ”

  • slow (15/04/2023, 16:00) Like (16) Dislike (12) Reply
    Thanking you Governor.......Shouldn't the Ministers knows this was illegal......What happened to that nice lady , The Government Attorney.........Foy saw a real Bully..
    • @slow (15/04/2023, 16:59) Like (17) Dislike (29) Reply
      Ok white blogger we all know you support your Governor.
    • ... (15/04/2023, 18:28) Like (20) Dislike (7) Reply
      The Governor was also part of this mistake. Shouldn't he have known this was illegal?
      • @…. (16/04/2023, 13:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        The governor has to give assent to every bill passed by the HOA. However, another racist governor, Jaspert, may have given assent to this bill. But like in the CoI Mount Olympus is not accountable to anyone. Whatever they do ne they CoP and Governor they are covered. There are two systems one for locals and one for Mount Olympus.
    • @slow (16/04/2023, 17:01) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      You obviously got brainwashed with the Governor's evil plot. The last AG advised the Government one way now this AG says another to please the Governor and his ongoing well organized plot.
  • Interesting (15/04/2023, 16:04) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    but does tge hoa ha e the powers to revoke residency ir belongership if there are doubts as to the validity of the original application.
    are they just rubber stamping these listed eronous issuings of residency/ belingership or are they actually going to review them.
    if its just a rubber stamp then theyve he and his party ha e just lost my vote for sure. this fast track needs to be fully audited and applications reviewed. false applications were approved based on fake infomation. they should bot be alowed to retain their status. I wrote to the governor and immigration and named individuals who i know to have not lived in the territory for years, but who were still granted belongership. neither the givernor nor immigration acted to change or review these individuals. maybe I should give the names to Mika, at least then their names will be out there. i cannot believe that the government or the governor would not review thikese fraudulent applucations.
    • Rubber Duck (15/04/2023, 16:40) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
      Wow there are some dumb people posting her.

      The problem is that they were given both status’ simultaneously instead of waiting a year after residency to get belongership, which is what the law says must happen. They are fixing that not reviewing the applicants.

    • @Interesting (16/04/2023, 09:12) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      I believe you. We, Virgin Islanders continuously take people at face value. We only investigate as far as what's in front of us. Yes, give Mika Barry their names.
  • Nonsensical (15/04/2023, 16:47) Like (20) Dislike (12) Reply
    This makes absolutely no sense. The decision was made in cabinet where the Attorney General (there to provide legal advise) would have offered comments. The monies were taken by the Government for the 2 for 1 process given those residing in the territory for over 20 consecutive years both Residence and Belonger Status. Many of these individuals, since receiving Belonger status, would have already moved on acquiring BVI Naturalisation, BVI Passports, UK Naturalisation, UK Passports, Trade Licences, etc. What do we do now? Do we revoke their statuses? Do we contact the UK to revoke their Naturalisation and passports? Do we close down their business? Of course not! The statuses were given in 2019 under a special program, the Fast Track program. These individuals are not at fault and for that reason, the government needs to fix the situation. If we are trying to be technical, these individuals would have been living in the Territory for at least 20 years in 2019. We are now in 2023. The additional 12 months needed to acquire Belonger status already passed. No need to complicate things. Regulate their statuses. This is just another political gimmick. I am a born BVIslander.
  • The Reaper (15/04/2023, 16:51) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    We F up again….When them gonna learn ….Take your country…..Not on my watch
  • Wow (15/04/2023, 16:55) Like (9) Dislike (12) Reply

    White bloggers out! 

    • Rhythm up.. Im with the Gov. (15/04/2023, 17:21) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
      We all know the X.P bullied this Poor African Attorney into saying what he wants him to say...They all knew thet they were doing something wrong. But no one ever stood up to the X .P. This was more about getting monies in the treasury by any means, not about helping people just like how the said X.P wanted to get rich by any means and didn't care about the people...Repeal this and Fast Track those applications that been sitting, or been hidden in the office..
    • Commentator (15/04/2023, 17:28) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Censorship your thing now?
    • Forbidden Truth (15/04/2023, 18:06) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      @wow.white people benefitted too.
    • Forbidden Truth (15/04/2023, 18:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @wow.white people benefitted too.
  • @Interesting (15/04/2023, 17:02) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
    Just an attempt to stop the election but the world is watching, I hope you know this UK!
  • Citizen (15/04/2023, 17:22) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are a few who lived here under 10 years and got belonger status, hats off to political brokers
  • Ham and chesse (15/04/2023, 17:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    they do what they want they violate the Marriage Law after five and six years and then they tell her, that her spouse does not apply, because her husband does not have money in the bank, I know because it happened to a relative, that is how emigration works with whom he feels like it, as if in some chapter the law requires it, in addition to five years
    • Huh? (16/04/2023, 21:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You do know that any any country you have to demonstrate you are financially sound and will not be a burden to government to get status right? It is a legitimate matter that should be satisfied?
  • A VIRGIN GORDIAN BY CHOICE. (15/04/2023, 17:48) Like (22) Dislike (19) Reply
    THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO BLOCK THE VIP FROM WINNING THIS ELECTION
    BUT ITS NOT GOING TO WORK.
  • Road Town Oil (15/04/2023, 18:09) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wrong cannot be right regardless of who it's benefitting. How the hell you're going to validate this now? You all are sickening now.
    • Children Psrty. (16/04/2023, 05:23) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
      VIP acted like a children party with big daddy in chsrge, none of them could or did ever objected to all the wrongs they knew were wring, they all just go along, weak and without coursge. .We need courageous adults to run our affairs.. I honestly think Ronnie is the adult we need, we can't continue with this children party..Imagine not one of them stood up and say, or asked " What happen to those applications thst are there sitting for years, lets clear those up first,"? Not inee,. They all need to go..
    • Uncle (16/04/2023, 07:34) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Smells like a setup by the white house to entrap the Government because common sense would show you what is the HOA going to correct an error that started in cabinet. Two wrongs does not make it a right.
  • Truth (15/04/2023, 21:15) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    I know a jam down man recently came here , married less than 1 year and gets their belongers status.
  • Smithy (15/04/2023, 21:53) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes,bring them back to fix their mishap. This is a part of good governance. The former minister for immigration and labor is not so bright perhaps he didn't filly understand the immigration Ordinance or he was ill advised.
    • guy hill (16/04/2023, 10:30) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
      Smithy.....The Immigration and Passoort Act is very clear on this. The former AG was full of Bull nonsense.
  • THE NEW ALLIANCE (15/04/2023, 22:15) Like (15) Dislike (11) Reply
    VOTE FOR PEOPLE WHO WONT MAKE MISTAKES....A COALITION GOVERNMENT
  • cut and paste (15/04/2023, 22:26) Like (10) Dislike (10) Reply
    Dear god when you going to save us from the VIP.
    • Voter6 (16/04/2023, 11:10) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      DEAR GOD PLEASE SAVE US FROM NDP AND THE OTHER PARTY WHAT EVER THEY NAME IS.
  • bvi (15/04/2023, 22:55) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    Why are we so heartless the present gove.id not responsible for thisthe fus is all about they will go at any lenght to dreak hate the vip but gods watching when you digging a ditch please dig 2 it may back fire
  • 1st district original (16/04/2023, 05:26) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    95% of the times when there is ANY Fxxk ups in a country. The politicians is behind it. PERIOD!!
  • Royal balls (16/04/2023, 09:28) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Remove all the names affected from the voters list and ratify AFTER the elections!!!!!

    Who wrote the bill to be introduced? What are the long term ramifications to general populace? How does it affect our constitution? When was the audit report concluded and provided to cabinet? Was the bill being introduced included in the 16 the week before the house was dissolved? If not WHY?
  • Summation (16/04/2023, 09:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So they plan to move a motion to make statuses that were granted illegal, legal?


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