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UK must ‘temper their views’ regarding VI spending & finances– Dr the Hon Wheatley

- said scrutiny & bureaucracy in some instances are stalling progress
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has pointed out that increased scrutiny from the United Kingdom (UK) regarding spending in Overseas Territories like the Virgin Islands (VI) has resulted in some setbacks regarding progress. Photo: VINO/File
Dr the Hon Wheately was at the time appearing on the November 28, 2021, episode of Real Talk with Karia J. Christopher on the topic of scrutiny for the United Kingdom. Photo: Facebook
Dr the Hon Wheately was at the time appearing on the November 28, 2021, episode of Real Talk with Karia J. Christopher on the topic of scrutiny for the United Kingdom. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has pointed out that increased scrutiny from the United Kingdom (UK) regarding spending in Overseas Territories like the Virgin Islands (VI) has resulted in some setbacks regarding progress.

Dr Wheatley was at the time appearing on the November 28, 2021, episode of Real Talk with Karia J. Christopher on the topic of 'Scrutiny from the United Kingdom'.  

Governments 'pounded' by UK - Ms Christopher 

Host Mrs Christopher said over the years governments in the VI have been ‘pounded’ by the UK regarding spending and questioned what difficulties exist regarding helping persons in the territory as part of the ministerial job.

Dr Wheatley said, “This really has to do with the United Kingdom and we really want to ask the United Kingdom to really temper their views,” he said.

“We believe in transparency, we believe in accountability, we believe in good governance, but one thing you can’t forget when you speak about all those things, is also progress for the people,” he said.

Mrs Christopher said while the scrutiny faced by the government of the day over its financial performance is not new, it is more heightened as a result of social media, “it’s a whole new world we are living in now.”

VI still has to move forward - Dr the Hon Wheatley  

According to the Minister, sometimes persons get caught up with good governance, accountability, and transparency, that persons forget that the government is actually supposed to deliver for people and get them to meet their aspirations.

Dr Wheatley said, in one instance, procuring furniture for the schools resulted in a delay that exceed one year due to the tender process, “It took a very long time because of the tender and the problems we have in the tender process,” he said.

"So you’re trying to get value for money for this furniture but then the children need a place to sit, so you end up having to spend money to buy temporary furniture and you still going through this process of getting value for money,” he said.

8 Responses to “UK must ‘temper their views’ regarding VI spending & finances– Dr the Hon Wheatley”

  • Tail wagging the dog! (10/12/2021, 11:34) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Right, so we "believe" in transparency, accountability and good governance, but we just don't practice them. Perhaps that's the real hindrance to our progress.

    Temper their views you say? Hmmmm...
  • Fed Up (10/12/2021, 12:50) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Only a few more months of this pi$$
  • Reality check (10/12/2021, 13:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    “We believe in transparency, we believe in accountability, we believe in good governance, but one thing you can’t forget when you speak about all those things, is also progress for the people,” So what happened to amending the Criminal Conduct Act to make provisions for investigating unexplained wealth which derives from corruption and criminal activity. Where has your government been transparent? Forthcoming with the Auditor General? Provided good governance to any but your cronies? Progress for anyone other than your supporters? Actions speak very loudly and yours, in regards to education, have been thunderous in condemnation!
  • WEW (10/12/2021, 13:43) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UK is just trying to minimize the theft of tax payers monies by the HOA and their families
  • (10/12/2021, 17:03) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Bvi will prevail in the end white supremacy and racism will not stand
  • shabazz (10/12/2021, 17:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    "one term"
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands. (10/12/2021, 23:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bla, bla, bla, bla, Hon. Natalie "Sawande" Wheatley, you spoke as those that have many dark things to hide. You are wasting your time. You have already proven to the majority of us that your are incompetent politically, morally, and a very dishonest liar, Our spotlight is brightly shining. Through even more so will it shine in 2022, and and onward. Bla, bla,bla, bla, bla.
  • Gotta say (12/12/2021, 15:40) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Showande is right when your in a organization too focused on doing it right from the outside looking in what good is that if nothing ever gets done inside because everyone inside knows there’s a risk with every project every change of legislation.

    Those organizations stagnate until their forced to change. Many don’t make it.

    VIP has done many bold moves which can not be denied and I’d rather have a government willing to take risks TODAY for the people at the expense of their reputation than mr asleep at the wheel playing it safe waiting for someone else to pave the way.


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