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Register of Interest (Amendment) bill is a Governor's bill- Hon Smith

- Hon Smith says HoA will fix it after bill faced widespread Opposition criticisms
Following widespread criticisms of the Register of Interest Amendment Bill currently before the House of Assembly, Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Trade, and Labour has told the House that the bill came from the Governor’s office. Photo: HoA/File
Deputy Premier Mrs Lorna G. Smith OBE says the Register of Interests Amendment Bill facing criticisms stems from the Governor's office. Photo: Facebook/File
Deputy Premier Mrs Lorna G. Smith OBE says the Register of Interests Amendment Bill facing criticisms stems from the Governor's office. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Following widespread criticisms of the Register of Interest (Amendment) Bill currently before the House of Assembly (HoA), Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Trade, and Labour, Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE has told the House that the bill came from the Governor’s Office.

Hon Smith was at the time speaking at the Continuation of the Ninth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on March 7, 2024. 

Opposition legislators had accused the Government of rushing legislation to meet the deadlines for the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations; however, Hon Smith said the bill still has to go through the process at the HoA.

In agreeing with Opposition legislators that the bill must be adjusted, she said: “That is why we are here in this House, to make sure that the laws are right and that we fix them. If it takes us two weeks… whatever time, we fix them.”

Hon Smith said she still commends the Premier on his attempt to fix the matter, “I don't know whether he said it, but this is a bill that really stems from the Governor’s Office. It is, in essence, it's his bill, in a way,” she said.

HoA committed to seeing CoI reforms implemented

While the bill forms part of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry in the Virgin Islands (VI), Hon Smith said the House remains committed to seeing the CoI reforms implemented. 

“The other thing I want to say, and I'm coming at this from a slightly different angle. I want to say that we in this House, we reactivated something called a reform committee. And that reform committee, as I understand it, is to see to the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry.” 

Hon Smith added that the time has passed for the VI to talk about the pros and cons of the CoI Reform process and that it is time to get it over and done with. 

“When I say over and done with… let us get the 49 or 50 recommendations over and done with,” she said while adding that changes will still come.

9 Responses to “Register of Interest (Amendment) bill is a Governor's bill- Hon Smith”

  • WHAT!!! (13/03/2024, 10:42) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of course none in the HOA want this bill passed, it will show potential conflicts of interest .
    • Sad to say. (13/03/2024, 11:29) Like (33) Dislike (3) Reply
      Only the Gov. Getting things done. All our leaders giving us including Lorna are promises and talk.
      • resident (13/03/2024, 12:33) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
        she is a one termer, will be gone so fast he head will spin
      • Nut (13/03/2024, 13:39) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
        You need to know what's progress and getting things done and what's political brain washing and increasing oppression
  • Head Coach? (13/03/2024, 11:41) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    they all crooks
  • Manjack (13/03/2024, 13:44) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
    Will the public know about the governor’s interest? Or the Governor don’t feel he has no obligation to tell the people of the BVI about his interest, for he is a de facto king and don’t give a rat’s ass what they think?
    • @Manjack (13/03/2024, 14:34) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      The governor not running the country but my crook politicians are so as residents we need to know. Maybe you apart of their hidden interests.

      That's why yall savior head coach in jail. Waiting on the rest to fall.

      Yall betrayed the country and your people who supporter you
  • Ah shud up (13/03/2024, 16:57) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Almost a year now and she aint do ah thing...Only talk talk talking all the time
  • fedup (15/03/2024, 07:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What you all had expected from her, the woman is tired, let's put it this way( Expired) Blah Blah Blah. All of them
    Doing nothing. The last best politician died along time ago.


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