Attorney General’s contract might not be extended in 2020, new AG could be BVIslander
Premier Andrew Fahie has hinted that Baba Aziz’s tenure as Attorney General (AG) of the BVI will come to an end in February 2020.
The Premier gave that indication in the House of Assembly on Friday, December 13 during the budget debate for the 2020 fiscal year.
Fahie commended Aziz and his team for their contributions in getting the 2020 budget completed and implied that the Attorney General’s contract will not be extended when it expires next February.
“I know most likely this will be the AG’s last budget with us because I know that his contract ends in February. But I want to thank him from the NDP (National Democratic Party) government to our government for the service that he has rendered to the people of the Virgin Islands,” Premier Fahie stated.
He further hinted at the possibility of the next Attorney General being a British Virgin Islander. The previous two – Aziz and Dr Christopher Malcom – are Ghanaian and Jamaican, respectively.
“We know the constitution allows for a BVIslander to hold the post,” Fahie said.
“He (Aziz) has held the fort for us … and he has served the post tremendously well. So once that is the case (that Aziz’s contract will not be extended), we want to thank him and his office and whoever comes also for what they have done,” Premier Fahie added.
Aziz’s was appointed as Attorney General in the British Virgin Islands on February 10, 2015, succeeding Dr Malcom who was appointed Attorney General from January 2012 to December 2014.
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Isn’t the Attorney General’s post a decision by the UK Government as well as the Judicial Commission. I do not think the Premier controls who is appointed as Attorney General. So please do give anyone false hope.
The present AG is not fit for purpose – has anybody ever had a response to a letter sent to him?
It’s about time!
The BVI Constitution not only says that the AG’s post may be held by a BVIslander – it says that it *must* be held by a BVIslander unless there are not suitably qualified candidates available.
I remember a few years ago (before Christopher Malcolm was appointed) they used to literally telephone all of the BVIslander lawyers over a certain level of experience and ask them if they wanted to be considered for the role.
But they stopped doing that for reasons that are not clear to me.
After all this time, the man should be a Citizen by now.
Dancia
There comes the return of V.G you heard it here first…..
Let’s hope they put someone who is competent. Local and competence don’t always come together. Sometimes they are given a chance and they do nothing but nonsense. Sometime they feel they could do the job until they are given a chance and they quickly realize they don’t know squat.
It is better for a citizen to handle the position of Attorney General because it is a sensitive position.I commend premier Andrew Fahie for his decision