'Who do you turn to?’ to complain about Governors- Premier Fahie asks CoI
In a passionate presentation during the VI Commission of Inquiry, Hearing Day 52 on October 21, 2021, Premier Fahie said complaints to the UK over the alleged ‘abusive’ relationship with controversial ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert aka 'Gus' constantly fell on deaf ears.
No help from UK - Premier Fahie said
“His language to us has always been one in which as if we can’t do anything right, it’s an abusive relationship if you ask me, as if we couldn’t do anything correct,” a visually frustrated Premier Fahie detailed.
“I wrote all around for help. So there is a problem with the partnership because whenever I wrote they would write back and say, I hear everything you said, but we with Gus,” Premier Fahie further said.
Hon Fahie explained that the issue may have been as a result of a ‘constitutional block’ severing the relationship between him and the Governor.
Hon Fahie said there were instances where meetings were called to reset the relationship with the Governor but they were not fruitful.
Discussions to mend relations failed
“If you reach to the point where you have spoken directly with the then Governor and said 'let’s see if we get past whatever this is', and that doesn’t seem to work at all....”
“And then you reach to the point where you [have] written to those who are his superiors to ask to intervene and that will lead to you hearing that you [superiors] with the Governor,” Hon Fahie said, questioning where next should the territory turn?
The Premier indicated that the new details of his alleged strained relationship with Jaspert were never made public and despite the issues, Hon Fahie said he felt it was his Christian duty to mend the relationship.
"Who do you turn to?" Hon Fahie asked, to which the Commissioner, Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, replied that the issues may have stemmed from a constitutional flaw.
Mr Jaspert, making no apologies for his actions as governor, maintained that he always acted within the constitution and in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands.
Other Public servants complained about 'Gus' - Premier
Premier Fahie also indicated that many public officers also shared concerns about their relationship with the Governor and having nowhere to turn to for recourse.
“We cannot have the partnership where one side of the partnership can speak to the other side if they choose to and then hide behind the authority that they have in the UK and make it seem like the premier is not being respectful."
Premier Fahie also indicated that since taking up office, current Governor John J. Rankin CMG has brought contrast to the Governor's Office, as compared to when 'Gus' was at its helm.
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27 Responses to “'Who do you turn to?’ to complain about Governors- Premier Fahie asks CoI”
Ever thought that logical kit it may be because Gus is right? Nah. Surely not?
after a devastating hurricane the british wanted to make sure our country was repaired however 5 ministers of government turned down the much need help and all now some of the people still suffering
For example, with reserved power, the governor is empowered to appropriate funding separate from funding appropriated by the duly elected HOA. This subversion of the HOA action embarrasses the local government. Another example is the failure to assent to bills passed by the duly elected HOA. Interestingly, bills in the UK are rarely not assented to. The last time presumably a bill was not assented in the UK was in 1708 (Scotish Militia Bill).
Moreover, the Premier is between a rock and a hard place. Generally, the organizational chain of command is rock solid; outside of exceptional circumstances and for self-protective reasons, the top links in the organizational chain support each other, ie, City, Navy command, multinational corporations etc. The top links in the chain can control the lower links; whereas, the lower links typically lack the ability to correct abuse, bad behaviour and poor performance by the top links. Sometimes, if the lower links are lucky, they can get their concerns addressed through outside forces. But this often comes with risks. The lower links win a rare battle but the war still rages on, for the top links have the power.
Further, the Governor of the VI represents the crown so the FCO will always support the governor. The governor is in a win-win scenario; VI and other OTs, lose-lose. Therefore, other than to make a point, complaining about wrong doings is a fruitless exercise. Of course, if the UK say jump and OTs say how high, all is well. However, this is the old master-slave mentality, not in a supposed modern day partnership.
You must have turned to your Jesus because he answered. The COI is a manifestation of your wishes and your complaints and requests .. Can't get a more perfect response and fixer upper right,?
Now he in the corner observing and enjoying the dark energy he created as it feeds his soul.