All gov’t ministers getting 3 months as Deputy Premier, Wheatley the first appointee
In what can be described as an unconventional move, Premier Andrew Fahie is giving each of the ministers in his government an opportunity to serve as Deputy Premier.
Minister of Education & Culture Dr Natalio Wheatley has been given the first crack at the post.
Governor Augustus Jaspert appointed and swore in Dr Wheatley to the post on Wednesday morning, March 6.
Each minister will sit in the post for three months.
“After the first year then someone will be named permanently to the post of Deputy Premier,” Premier Fahie said while explaining the move. “It allows for each minister to get the experience and also makes sure that each minister also develops in areas that normally in most governments might never have seen or had the opportunity to do.”
He continued: “Our government is one that’s inclusive and we intend to build our people whether elected or not in the same manner so that we can all be ready and equipped to take on the challenges of tomorrow.”
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That’s a good way to fulfill all promises made. I guess at the end of that year we will know how the probations went.
He is being indecisive…call it what it is! Deputy on probation, why he don’t put himself on probation too. So we could test who we want out of the bunch to be premier. Nonsense, the kind of problems we have to face and something so simple as choosing a deputy he dragging his feet with. Boooo!!
I was thinking the same thing.
Looks like the captain is scared of a rebellion already, keep the pirates down so they dont get too strong
A green political strategy which will waste much and yield very little by very green political minds.
Nonetheless, we must continue to support them, even if we have to teach through our comments.
Because, the alternative to their failure is the invasion of our nation by the UK, and most of us do not want that, whether we are VIP, NDP, Turks and Caicos or other.
VIP done falling already.
Addendum:
I realize many of you are perhaps disappointed with the election results, however, if you truly love this country, you would give the new team a fair opportunity to do what they have promised on the campaign trail.
Nothing is wrong with holding their feet to the fire like previous governments over time as the need arises, but in fairness, the new government has just been elected. They should be given reasonable time to get themselves together and prove their mettle.
I have said before on this forum, that I am a neutral person politically. I may agree or disagree with politician with positions they take on specific issues, but its never partisan.
I am in no ones political camp. Regardless of political affiliations, I express my views accordingly agreeably or not.
Frankly, I could care less which political party runs the government. The way I see it, no matter the person/party running the government, the issues they have to confront are the same. Who does a better job at it will be in the eyes of each beholder.
I have disagreed with many positions Mr. Fahie has taken over the years, but he and his team deserves a chance to do what they have promised. IMO, they can do no worse than others have.
Too early to suggest the government is failing already. Give this new government a fair chance. There will be plenty of time to critique them over the next four years.
The people have spoken. Move on.
Very impressed with this unconventional way of appointing ministers. Definitely shows a more unified body of government. Something we’ve lacked for a long time. Continue to rise VIP! #bvipride
Wow. Impressive. Unconventional indeed. I like it.
I’m very impressed; and its Legal. Never been done before. The word “Innovate and Innovation” was used a lot on the Vips campaign trail. It is definitely innovative. The move hasn’t been done before and which does make it Innovative. I believe in Hon. Fahie. He had lost of time to plan and meditate the workings of government and the way he would like to run the government and plan on how he would like it to be developed; (including the people). He has been very methodical.
No doubt an unconventional move. But the experience value is limited in my view. Each member will wear the title for three months doing their regular ministerial duties and acting as Premier when the Premier is out of pocket. If the Deputy Premier had specific duties diffrent from other ministers duties and was performing the Deputy Premier duties during the 3 month period, I would buy the experience thing. During normal times the Deputy Premier is just a space filler position during the absence or incapacitation of the Premier. True, someone needs to be in charge when the Premier is not around. In the absence of a tough decision, just assign each minister for 6 months and call it George. Be brave. Well, mai boi. Does the other ministers report to the Deputy Premier?
Why stop there? Why not give each one 3 months as Premier, and keep rotating? Now that will be even more interesting
dumb .a$$
Sounds sarcastic….love it.
i am VIp but just like a good laugh
His intentions may be good. But this makes him look weak and indecisive. Deputy Premier should be a permanent role. That way everybody knows where they stand. This also gives the public confidence in the system. Andrew is trying to be a “nice guy”, but as a leader you must make decisions that will ruffle one or two feathers. The key is to be decisive and in strong. We can’t have the tail wagging the dog.
Call your friend MVW, he can ruffle feathers.
This makes absolutely no sense at all, pure assishness if you ask me. We are playing dolly house with this country now or what??
I call it B**ch A*ss ness. For real,this is not a babysitting business. At the end of the day appoint a permenant second in command.
That is some dumb S**t and a stupid move. Well, that is the person you all wanted in office. You all who voted for VIP got your wish, local born to local born parents.Deal with the S**t.LOL.
this is what he wanted all along so now he ind he puppets bout three months in position. Is like its now a competitin to vie for the deputy position. so tom dick and harry. Harry win that mean the public will now think tom and dick aint nh s**t so give harry. Power hungry vote VIP but geez stop making the system like is some dolly house bout new and conventional way….you come lasttttt F** boy
I love this out of the box thinking. It can only help the government to be stronger for the long run.
Then when the permanent placeholder is appointed, then then the jealousy begins. This gives way to rivalry
it now becomes a competition
Fahie I really love this move.
This is bull place the rest and get on with business this makes no sense to me we did not vote for you to baby sit.
People are really applauding this nonsense? What does a Deputy Premier do other than act as Premier when the Premier is absent for whatever reason? Let us call this what it is, a compromise because of all the fighting. And why doesn’t VIP have a Deputy Chairman like NDP so going into elections you know (provided they win) who will be leader and deputy leader? I wish the Government well going forward but this move stinks to high h**l.
Do we understand what Deputy Priemier mean and the weight it carries. The DP is a person second in command if sonmething happens to the premier and he xan no longer lead the country that person next in line must be fit and proper to lead the country forward. This training on the job make no sense for such position.
The sooner people realize that elections are over then the sooner they can mend their broken hearts. Bashing government for every action less than 2 weeks after the results is a disgrace to yourself only. It’s not going to change the results.
Says the NDP basher with a week of rehab.
I understand that D3 might the position in the end when he cross the floor.
Besides this shows that leadership does matter. To be a good leader you have to make a hard choice to fact of the matter only Natalio or Carvin was fit for such position.
The Premier need to be serious and stop with this nonsense but trial every three months.
What will our children learn in school when asked every three months who is our deputy premier.
This is stupidty to the fullest. Premier Lavity and Ralph had not such vision.
Reality now start to settle in. It is always a saying when things do not start right it will not end right.
No one expect such foolishness coming from this country the other countries are laughing after us this has gone international. It only prove that we cannot handle our affairs internally.
Moving forward i think that we need to veeto people that are running for government when elections come around. This only show that this government level of experience is at kindergarden stage.
The dunceheadry has begun.
for all of you applauding this as a unique and unconventional idea, well you know what you are too, but all this does is create division.
plainly speaking, its stupidness!!!
and where the devil is the speaker? are we rotating that too?
So just saying if something were to happen to the Premier God forbid, while one of his ministers is acting Deputy, they would become Premier? Just asking.
So God forbid that the Premier drop “dead” while this proposal in motion, will the succeeding Premier be the one who was DP at the time this unforseen event occurs?
This is too jokey , What kinda nonsense .
WELL ., Im really scared now ,this poppyshow , we all is deputy now crap. Is RIDICULOUS. They all looking so super flexible and indecisive with Serious ISSUES ,
Just like how all of you said the voting machines was a waste of time and they turned out to be the best thing ever happen to our elections..change is not always bad. Embrace change
The only persons who planted doubt about the machines were VIP candidates now Premier
If he had chosen one, there would have been criticism. Here he is giving all his members an opportunity to prove themselves AND to have a major opportunity to serve in such a post and it STILL is a problem. You can’t please everyone. In life, we complain that locals are not given opportunities and yet he is doing it. Give them a chance. After the rotation it is clear that he will choose. It doesn’t have to mean that there is fighting behind the scenes or he is trying to appease anyone of them. I believe it is innovative and it is a win all around. Give it a chance and let us support OUR government and hold them accountable when they need to be. Stay positive!
The move isn’t popular and I can see why but this is a total non issue. Calm down guys, the sky isn’t falling. I’m certain that nobody voted based on who they thought the Deputy Premier would be and that’s a fact. As long as jobs are created, our infrastructure is fixed, education is improved, transparency is finally addressed, the stuff that we were promised is fulfilled you can change Deputy Premier every week if you need to now if those things dont happen and we end up in a worse position than we were in during the last 8 years then that would be another story.
This rotating plan may be new and out of the sand box for the BVI but it is not new, for other governmental entities have used it with mixed results. The core of the plan else where is that acting personnel are put in higher level positions with increasing responsibilities. The plan(s) else where provides for attaining experience at higher levels. The rotating of ministers for 3 months as acting Deputy Premier does not seem to provide higher level responsibilities, except when may be filling in for the Premier.
This plan would yield better results if the Deputy Premier had higher level specific duties. In perusing the government organizational chart, the Deputy Premier is not even on it. Further, it is my understanding that other ministers report directly to the Premier, not the designated Deputy Premier. True, someone must be designated to act as Premier when the Premier is out of the country or is not available for other reasons. The Premier should make the tough call and designate someone as Deputy Premier. However, if wants to share the wealth of the Deputy Premier title, he can rotate his primary ministers in 9-12 month increments. Experience gain in 3 months is probably marginal at best. The experience gain in 3 months will be if a crisis occured within that time frame if the Premier was out of pocket.
Moreover, if we want ministers to gain experience from the Deputy Premier position, the position roles and responsibilities should be restructured. Further, for more cross functional training for ministers, at strategic points, rotate ministers in and out of ministries.
Congrats to Deputy Premier to Natalio Wheatley!
making sure everybody get a piece of that fat salary….lol lets see how this goes.
Elected officials should be trained in social media etiquette… come together for the country….subliminally posting Bible verses is not a good look.
Those who cheer it on, examine yourself instead of thinking a sermon/scripture applies to everyone but you.
Who does that?
Why are we so defensive to change…..you people on the BVI made me so sick
I am an open minded person who accepts changes. But for crying out loud the is the first wrong move. No sensible person would rotate Deputy Premier. 1. This is not a HOD role. 2. What growth can a person show in 3 months. 3. The governor has nothing to say about this? 4. Never heard this rule for such a position anywhere on the globe?
5. A leader has to make tough internal decision and cannot appease everyone? 6. how some strength
Why don’t we just give the new Gov’t a chance. The DP rotation does come across as odd but we need to give the process a chance. If it does not work then we can make noise
And what would be the problem with that proposition, “OK then”,?
A representative being given the opportunity to become a Deputy is great!
Each representative will learn fully, the operations of government, thereby padding their portfolio as a potential leader. No need for infighting and in-house arguments as to whom should the better candidate be!
It would have even been more great if it was permanently rotational-three months for the next four years.
Still a young new administration with great ideas!
And they deserve our fullest support as their actions reflect only the best that this country deserves!
There are some people in the BVI that are so dam negative and love mischief. They can’t see the good in anything.
Since you are so positive, please help us to understand the good in this strategy?
Change always brings fear and uncertainty. Do you think we can wait a little and see how it works out before complaining.
A green political strategy which will waste much and yield very little by very green political minds.
Nonetheless, we must continue to support them, even if we have to teach through our comments.
Because, the alternative to their failure is the invasion of our nation by the UK, and most of us do not want that, whether we are VIP, NDP, Turks and Caicos or other.
So this means the Guv will have to be swearing in a deputy Premier every 3 months. If this is not p***y footing around, tell me what? It will take this man a whole year just to choose his deputy. Clearly he was not ready to hit the ground running as the new Premier. Just let Sowande keep the post full time, so we can get down to the real business at hand.
Since you are so positive, please help us to understand the good in this strategy?
Foy need to stop this ” i have to please ” all my members nonsense . Every thing he doing sound so nonchalant. I am worried of what’s next .
Really you are? About the bvi or you just here to criticize?
The former government had their ministers so in tact and who had more internal and external conflict than them. Who ignored the protocols more than them and robbed the treasury more than them. The BVI been run like a Wild Wild West cowboy town for 8 years. Give it a break!