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Premier: Lots of bills to 'strengthen' justice system, good governance @ next HoA

- HoA slated to meet March 4, 2021 @ Save the Seed Energy Centre
When the Sixth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands is held on March 4, 2021, a number of bills to strengthen the territory’s justice system and good governance is expected to be introduced. Photo: HoA/File
According to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who said the legislative agenda for the government is going to be extremely busy this year. Photo: Facebook
According to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who said the legislative agenda for the government is going to be extremely busy this year. Photo: Facebook
The Sixth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands will be held at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on March 4, 2021. Photo: VINO/File
The Sixth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands will be held at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on March 4, 2021. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- When the Sixth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands is held on March 4, 2021, a number of bills to strengthen the territory’s justice system and good governance is expected to be introduced.

This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who said the legislative agenda for the government is going to be extremely busy this year.

“In the next couple weeks we will be going back to the House to pass a lot of legislation to strengthen our justice system, to be able to strengthen our good governance system,” Premier Fahie said on the Virgin Islands Party’s radio programme, ‘Let’s Talk’, on ZBVI 780 AM last night, February 16, 2021.

Campaign promises

The Premier reminded that most of the legislation on good governance and the justice system is what the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), prior to being elected, had promised to bring to the HoA.

“And these are things we campaigned on, no one is pushing us to do it, no one has written us to do it, no one has insisted that we do it. If you pick up the manifesto of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), you will see Integrity in Public Life legislation, you will see Contractor General legislation, you will see Whistleblowing legislation, and a plethora of legislation to improve good governance.”

The Integrity in Public Life legislation, along with others relating to strengthening the justice system, was also mentioned in the Speech from the Throne as delivered by ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert in November 2020.

The Speech from the Throne, which is written by the Government of the day, represents the Administration’s legislative agenda.

“These are some that we are bringing forward to the next sitting of the House of Assembly and the next one after that, along with plenty other legislation, including the extension of the Stamp Duty legislation, including legislation to make amendments to the Customs Act to allow duty-free for all renewable energy products and hybrid cars for a specific time...” Premier Fahie stated.

Most productive HoA

2020 was one of the most eventful and productive in years for the House of Assembly, with June 2020 alone seeing a record-breaking 15 pieces of legislation.

Those include legislation that previous governments and legislators had shunned for years, such as the Consumer Protection Act 2020; Gaming and Betting Control Act 2020; and the Cannabis Licencing Act 2020, the latter of which is yet to be assented to by the Governor.

Other legislation in June included the Stamp Duty Amendment Act 2020 and Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act 2020.

Stream & Watch Live

The Sixth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands will begin at 10:00 AM on March 4, 2021, and is will be carried live on the House of Assembly YouTube and Facebook page, along with live broadcasts on ZBVI 780 AM, CBN Radio 90.9 FM, CBN-Television and FLOW TV channel 101.

16 Responses to “Premier: Lots of bills to 'strengthen' justice system, good governance @ next HoA”

  • Unexplained (17/02/2021, 11:50) Like (25) Dislike (4) Reply
    Get the bill about the unexplained wealth to the house. This should have been done 20 yrs ago. Isn't this a priority?? I know where I get mines from . Borrowing from the banks and investing it in property. Where and how you get yours??
  • Rubber Duck (17/02/2021, 11:54) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    And put 500% import duty on motor bikes and scooters while you are about it.
  • asking for a friend (17/02/2021, 11:54) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    So the esteem talking about independence and still with the british wig?
  • Simply Asking (17/02/2021, 12:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What’s next?
  • Oh yeah too (17/02/2021, 12:45) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    A bill of act of racism oppression of all sort evil indoctrination etc. Protecting the people ...the hard driving pillar of this country......
  • Really Now (17/02/2021, 13:04) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just inquiring, does this Justice System include
    recognizing the injustice that was inflicted upon me by HR Department and Post Office?
    Inquiring minds need to know, exhausted of the cover-ups to defend family involvement.
  • WEW (17/02/2021, 13:21) Like (15) Dislike (6) Reply
    Don't bother. Good governance is coming when UK takes over .
  • ccc (17/02/2021, 13:39) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Dem man got too much house meetings
  • Nice. (17/02/2021, 13:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is the way and was the way to go without the fights and all the harsh back and fort words sometimes disrespect...
  • ReX FeRal (17/02/2021, 15:59) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is immigration enforcement and survillance?
  • what (17/02/2021, 18:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about some serious legislations on these so call bars and clubs? They are affecting our communities don't turn a blind eye on these. They need major changes. The people in our communities are being overlooked without proper protocols. Who can tell the public what to do when those who suppose to uphold our laws are breaching the protocols and putting the communities in fear? THE GOVERNOR NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS KIND OF MESS UNDER HIS WATCH TOO.
  • lodger (18/02/2021, 07:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Anybody hear a stable door?
  • ann (18/02/2021, 10:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need our independence bottom line


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