BVI not the negative caricature they paint, Premier says
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has strongly rejected negative portrayals of the Virgin Islands, stating that the territory is being unfairly misrepresented on the global stage.
“Sometimes they make quite, I would say, reckless and outlandish statements in regards to the Virgin Islands. And the Virgin Islands isn’t really that caricature that they’ve painted us to be,” Dr Wheatley said during a press conference held yesterday.
His comments came after a series of meetings in the United Kingdom with officials, including Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty and anti-corruption advocate Baroness Margaret Hodge. The Premier explained that he had extended an invitation to Baroness Hodge to visit the BVI to gain a better understanding of the territory’s financial systems and governance reforms.
Dr Wheatley denied that the BVI received a proverbial slap on the wrist over its failure to meet financial transparency deadlines. He pointed to the territory’s 75-year history as a parliamentary democracy, noting that BVIslanders are a proud and dignified people.
“We’ve worked hard to build a financial services industry, and we’ve worked hard to build a society that many persons want to come here and to live and work here,” he said. “We’re not in a position where we are receiving slaps on the wrist from anyone.”
Premier Wheatley’s administration has been under pressure to implement governance reforms following the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, which raised concerns about corruption and mismanagement. While the UK had threatened direct rule, Dr Wheatley noted the territory’s progress had been widely recognised.
“CARICOM, the OECS, the ACS, and even the C24 at the United Nations have all commended our resilience in completing those governance reforms,” he said.
He also warned against reversing progress in the future, stating that the UK has said it will ensure reforms are not undone by future governments. “It’s important for whatever administration takes office at the next election to ensure that these reforms are not just sustained, but we build upon them,” Dr Wheatley stated.
The Premier reiterated the BVI’s commitment to good governance and financial transparency but cautioned against external narratives that distort the territory’s identity.
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He is right again.
It is a lot worse.
These so called reforms have not addressed the democratic and educational deficits which are what allow the domestic corruption to flourish.
There will be no improvement until those issues are addressed. So long as you have a few families carving up the revenues of the Territory every year nothing will improve.
I do not think the majority would agree with that statement Mr. Premier. While the COI forced some Major institutional process changes; the culture is stil prevalent. What is the status on the US$100 million loan facility for infrastructure improvements?
Is the loan funds deliberately being slowed down just to ramp up in the moths before elections? What is the state of the economy? What is he current state and plans for the environment? What is the update on BoA fiasco?
The only thing this man does is travel and then cry until he travels again, and then come back and cry until it is time to travel again. We gain absolutely nothing but a cry baby
Cindy and her goons.
So long as I can get a consultation contract; who cares! wee Ey Pee to da bone!! Frazer again for da win! I’d be at-large too
Hey wigo , if you don’t call cindy or walwlyn’s name you won’t feelp
P
the country? and would be mouthing off on the UK – everyday it’s the same duplicitous lyrics / is that going to be your legacy ? it’s time to flex off your knowledge in a positive way
Every one of government officials know how they swindle funds out of Government coffers into their hands
1. They overprice government projects and the share up the cutbacks between the contractors and the leaders of the Ministry who give the contract
2. They give.overprice contract to family members then split the differences.
3. They over price rents with families and friends to house government buildings that is why they do not want to build back the complex
4. They local business over price materials by contracters and solit the money.
5. Taxes collected and some receipts disappear and money is shared up.
6. Generic medicine are sold at exorbitant prices so the private companies and make a immense profit on the mark up for Government .
7. They have families fronting businesses and the top people and politicians receiving dividends.
All the top people in Government have families and friends who know what is going on but will not dqueal
The Governor has absolutely no clue of the corruption going on in the country.
just like mr cline said…we living our best lives here!
no running water after 6
roads feeling like world war 2
price changes in shops every week with discounts at 5cents
rent for 1 bedroom starting at 1500
minimum wage at 7.50
government buildings cant fix since irma
party being funded by tax money but theres no money for any positive development that benefits the country and residents
“business men” getting gun down
13 yr olds with guns gunning down over women
tax money being thrown into bank of asia
giving citizenship to criminal with a serious offence cuz the politicians “felt bad” but they dont “feel bad” for their residents who have to put up with their poor excuses ,poor services, poor roads, poor infrastructure etc etc etc
sewage running into roads
water & sewage digging up roads and leaving it for months to years
idk why them painting that bad pic of us natalio something wrong wid them people fr.
Good summary.
Not complete but a good starting point for the next set of Ministers or the UK.