BVI News

Airports Authority Board and SSB will be dissolved

The Joshua J Smith Building that house the Social Security Board (SSB) and National Health Insurance (NHI) offices.

Following the announcement of the dissolution of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) some weeks ago, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said today that the boards of the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA), and the Social Security Board (SSB) will also be dissolved.

Wheatley confirmed in a live broadcast that the BVIPA Board is currently looking for new members. He also announced the National Unity Government has been assessing several other statutory boards to determine whether they should be dissolved or make any changes to their composition in the best interest of the public.

“I would like to announce that the BVI Airports Authority will have a new board. I have spoken to the chair of the board and communicated the government’s wish to dissolve the recent board. The membership of the entire board has expired, or members have given their resignation. I thank the chairman and the other members for their service,” Dr Wheatley said.

Was in public interest to form new board

The Premier further said his government felt that, in the best interest of the public, it was best to form a new Social Security Board.

“The chairman is currently away from the territory and the deputy chairman already resigned. I take this opportunity to thank the chairman and the membership for their service to the Virgin Islands. I want to make it clear that these boards are not being dismantled because of any knowledge of wrongdoings by the most recent memberships,” Dr Wheatley said.

“I personally know members who have made strong contributions, who are people of integrity and have sacrificed countless hours of their time and energy but given recent events, it is important for us to have a fresh start,” the Premier said.

He added that he believes it is not good practice for persons to sit on multiple statutory boards. Dr Wheatley said these statutory bodies should never be unduly influenced by the concentration of the same people sitting o multiple boards at the same time.

“Cabinet will soon commission a development of a proper protocol for the appointment and dismissal of statutory board members to ensure the process is transparent and the criteria against which people are selected for statutory boards are appropriate,” the Premier said.

Dr Wheatley also noted changes will be made to the BVI Tourist Board. He added the statutory body is critical to supporting the tourism sector.

“The appointment of the current board members will expire shortly. Once this happens, new appointments will be made with strong representation from across the various sector of the tourism industry. Tourism is too critical to our economy to have not such strong sectorial representation. I ask for the industry’s support as we prepare for the upcoming tourism season,” the Premier said.

Dr Wheatley reiterated that the National Unity Government’s action on statutory boards is another step in the right direction as they continue to reform the government. He made it abundantly clear that reform is about making necessary changes to see a better future for the people of the Virgin Islanders.

“It is about engendering a new culture in the way we handle the public’s business and strengthening and improving our institutions and systems of government. It is not simply about what Sir Gary Hickinbottom has recommended or what the Governor and the United Kingdom want to see,” Dr Wheatley said.

“We must admit that many of our established practices are not fit for purpose and that we must change them if we want to see better public services, better infrastructure, better economic performance, and better service to the people. We must make changes at every level. The government of national unity believes change begins with us,” the Premier added.

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29 Comments

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  1. Licker and Sticker says:

    This only shows that they have no criteria for members of the board. I wonder what criteria the board used in a number of big ticket projects and how many bad decisions where made

    Like 23
    • De Piper says:

      That is the reasin why Airport is looking for a Director of Finance right now. Look to the right?? They ran out 2 who were there. No serious professionals taking them seriously right now.

      What we expect. Look at who was the (h@!r. They have a LOT of auditing to do just about now. Take it slow.

      My guess, some will go back to jail.

      Like 15
      Dislike 1
    • Hmmm says:

      I read the advert for the board of director’s position at the airport. Someone needs to seriously review that document. It is poorly written and doesn’t correctly outline the proper duty of a director.

      Like it or not we need the UK’s help.

      Like 17
      Dislike 2
    • Say what says:

      Let’s push the restart button here folks. Everyone serving on a board or in any public position needs to disclose their complete financial holdings. Ok? If they lie they join Fahie and go to jail.

      • Licker and Sticker says:

        They also have to have professional skills as a director. How about also having objective commercial acumen. Maybe even pass a publicly viewed skills test

        • @Licker and Sticker says:

          I do agree that the directors need to have professional skills but the best performing boards are those that are diverse, i.e. a mix group of skills. For instance,

          The Airport board would do well with
          Someone with extensive aviation experience;
          An Accountant
          A lawyer
          HR experience
          A taxi driver
          Someone from the hotel
          A layman (to bring the views of the travelling public)
          Someone from the public sector

          Like 6
          Dislike 1
          • Licker and Sticker says:

            Most of the people you have included are not fit for the post. We have limited funds, if you do not understand capital rationing, risk
            Management, Performance management in the context of the entity for example, you shouldn’t be there. The people who sit need to have professional and commercial acumen

            Like 5
            Dislike 3
  2. Abolish says:

    these boards. Repeal the section of the laws that created these boards. Well managed public authorities no longer need ‘boards’ of useless persons that do nothing.

    Like 25
  3. Resident says:

    too little too late, bring on uk rule

    Like 44
    Dislike 8
  4. A bit late says:

    SSB has been used as the personal piggy bank of the Drew..

    Like 41
    Dislike 1
  5. Finally says:

    This is a step which enables a positive way forward.

    Like 14
    Dislike 6
    • ? hmmm says:

      It’s quite worrying actually when you wonder the vast amount of money either borrowed or granted by the SSB. Where were the independent voices of Slow Wande and the other representatives of government or the opposition. This is a day late and a few million dollars short

      Like 26
    • BS says:

      Too soon to say positive way forward without seeing the follow through. Not holding my breath on the cabinet’s ideas on protocols for board members. It does not address systems of checks and balances either. Also, if there are existing members are doing a good job and want to keep their roll, why not renew their terms?

      Loads going wrong in the BVI, but this is the fault of a few, not everyone.

      Honestly. SSB is pretty much the only BVI government office that functions well. Fast, efficient & on top of things.

      Tourist Board is a joke & should be investigated.

      Like 10
  6. 1st District says:

    Tourist Board next. The current chair is on the other boards and is part of this big muck.

    Like 29
    • Finally says:

      Finally someone said it. She and the deputy chair should have been asked to resigned the same time with BVIPA chair.

  7. @finally says:

    YES…WITH THE UK IN FULL CONTROL AFTER THESE COMEDY ACTORS LEAVE

    Like 12
    Dislike 2
  8. Life says:

    When establishing aboard for a statutory body, make sure that these people are not prejudiced. Their aim should be to look out for every hard-working staff and not only for their family members. make realistic decisions that will be effective for the company’s well-being, staff, country, and people.

  9. Concerned Citizens says:

    They need to dissolve the BVIHSA Board.
    Also to look into the running of the only Public Health Services.

    Like 13
  10. Peonia says:

    Please ,I am asking you Mr primer,when you are giving out jobs make sure these individuals are qualified, the British virgin islands has a lot of qualified young people who have degrees and would like to come home but cannot because of being underpaid and people who do not even have a high school certificate doing these jobs.Hire people who are qualified.

    Like 8
    Dislike 1
    • Licker and Sticker says:

      He isn’t even qualified for his post. Does he have a degree in finance? How the heck can he determine their qualifications? Slow-Wande needs to go

      Like 10
      Dislike 1
  11. Trust no politician says:

    Natalio all the time you were in there agreeing with everything the previous PM did, seconding the motions giving speeches in support you did not see them as conflict. All of a sudden you see the opportunity to be at the helm hold all that power you seeing all the conflicts of interest now. Could never trust you or any of your motives and that they are coming from an earnest place

    Like 19
    Dislike 3
  12. Groom says:

    Stable bolted horse long gone

  13. question says:

    is he making these decisions or his wife?

  14. Ajic says:

    The BVI HEALTH SERVICES AUTHORITY BOARD needs to be dissolved also

  15. Tooth&Claw says:

    Good! The government here send their SSB staff, or some of them, on all expenses paid trips to Miami.

  16. Motion says:

    NhI to pls

  17. I from Here but Dont Like this Nonesense says:

    What is the “true” reason for dissolving the board?

    Are they entangled with Andrew’s situation?

    Or is this us cleaning up the house before the guests come over?

    Think we stupid?

    Continue man, all who dont care or never did care about the actual welfare of the BVI. Going feel now.

    #YuhGehCatch

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