COI reform deadline not feasible — Stoutt-Igwe
Permanent Secretary Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe has suggested that the May 2024 governance reform deadlines coming from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) are unlikely to be met by the government.
The COI report was published in April 2022 and the Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley-led government agreed shortly afterwards to join forces with the then-Opposition; as the two sides agreed to a framework arrangement, which would see the implementation of dozens of good governance recommendations coming out of the COI process.
Governor John Rankin suggested previously that a United Kingdom Order in Council for constitutional suspension that was held in reserve by the UK government could be removed by May 2024, once sufficient progress is made with implementing the good governance reforms that were agreed upon.
“I believe the Governor will probably speak to the [deadline] extension if necessary. But I would say that it is not feasible for a couple reasons,” Stoutt-Igwe said on the government’s Table Talk programme recently. “We’ve had some delays, and if you look at the November report, you will see that there are some actions that have not been started and the major reason for that is that new legislation is required based on the recommendations.”
She continued: “I would say here, that in looking at the recommendations made by Sir Gary Hickinbottom, he basically assumed that from all the reviews from the statutory boards and some of the other reviews that it would lead to new legislation, and that is not necessarily going to be the case.”
The Permanent Secretary explained that if reviewers have determined that legislation is not necessary for a particular reform, then it means that it will never be marked as complete. “So we have a couple of situations like that. But some of the reviews also showed how extensive the work that is required to be done,” Stoutt-Igwe shared.
Governor Rankin criticised the government in a previous report for not having some reforms ‘take root’ effectively by the agreed deadlines. At the time, he stressed the importance of showing evidence of improvement for the reforms to be considered effective.
Premier Wheatley later noted that although the threat of suspension and UK rule played a role in the government’s sped-up reform process, these have never been the main motivations for governance reform in the territory.
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Instead of the Premier flying around the globe and complaining the UK to the UN he should have been working on the COI recommendations. I hope when the Governor is on his way out he will call in the UK. Natalio D. Wheatley doesn’t have what it takes to be a leader he is sinking the British Virgin Islands we need help.
I remember the NDP said it on the campaign trail. This was going to be the outcome of putting that VIP back in. LORNA was sitting right there so she is fully aware. Is Lorna rhe grasshopper 2.0? Will she do it for the good of the country? Time will tell.
Who is worst the thief or the enabler? Luarna in the Corna, like all of dem including the opposition, needs to get a wedgie whilst being thrown out of the office. They are all feckless and unskilled other than dressing up and posing like one of the A$$ C!0wn Brigade
Every where these people worked, they failed..Why do we expect success now. Britain just need to take over. Replace these people. Fix things and hand back over to us in the hands of honest good working, sincere people..
And if it isn’t Premier Wheatley it has to be the UK. Set of slave mentality jack as..es.
There are many, many BVIslanders in this country who are capable of running this country in an honest and transparent manner. Why not give them a chance before you call in outsiders to do what the hell nobody knows and probably won’t be in your best interest? You all can’t be serious. People like Hon. H. Lavity Stoutt, Hon. T. B. Lettsome and others are probably rolling in their graves to see that the people of this country are actually willing to hand over this country to white rule again.
I say a Member of the Government has to get up and join the Opposition and let us have a switch quick of real doers to fix this country led by Hon. Skelton. These young people are quite capable but not focused and was taught by the past leader how to buck the system and do whatever the hell you want.
Ditto
Drop the hammer U.K.; it’s the only way things will change for the better. You are being played. Wake up! We tax payers deserve better.
Get your priorities straight . Don’t try to save skin and face
Hasn’t this same government passed legislation in one sitting? why are we making excuses? the premier needs to stay in the territory and to what needs to be done…and the PS needs to stop making excuses for him.
I laughed out loud! This is the same government who was proud of breaking the Guinness book of world records for most legislation passed in one sitting. Now they saying its a problem. They can’t work out what should be legislation and what should be policy. Look a train wreck! So all that experience and boasting for what? To put a wool over the people’s eye as if they were doing something. Highly incapable government.
What kind of a pappi-show is this. One minute you say two minutes, next you say five minutes and after that you say we don’t know how long.
How can you set a budget, prepare non qualified financial statements or plan for the long term unless you can with some certainty indicate that the order in counsel will be lifted in short order? To do any of these financial exercises you must incorporate a going concern principle / assumption of perpetuity of the Territory without a sword over the Territory’s head
Premier S!0w W@nde, deputy premier Luarna in the Corna and the other members of the A$$ C!0wn Brigade have to be some of the most feckless and incompetent leaders in the world.
We in trouble buddy
Come to think about it, Premier S!0w W@nde and the A$$ C!0wn Brigrade are bad at math. Amongst other things they can’t prepare a balancing budget so I am not surprised.
Which institution / investor would lend the Territory cash without factoring in higher than average interest rates with this issue over the Territory’s head.
If they do find an investor / lender the interest payments will reflect the high risks of lending to a Territory whose leadership is so feckless that it can’t find its way out of an order in council and can’t balance its budget
Too add to the risks associated with a territory that is neither sovereign nor have its own currency. You think the governor will allow that? Lahna was in La LA land for sure!
Agreed…The CDB loaned them the last lime. But that option isn’t there now. No UK guarantee or anything that says contra to what our stupid Premier, S!0w W@nde, and the rest of his incompetent colleagues, the A$$ C!0w Brigade, can do other than try to inspire a protest against the UK.What a fawkin I’d!0t
Those two names on a double barrel! I don’t know whether to laugh or cry with pity.
Hater: your karma is certain
All we hear from civil servants time again are excuses – “we don’t have enough time/people/resources, etc.” But a simple look at government offices throughout the territory will show the huge waste and inefficiency that pertains every day. There are some good public servants, but in general, the public service is actually a form of social security, paying eomployees whether they do their work efficiently or not. Most wouldn’t have any chance working in the private sector (which is why the BVI only functions with so many expatriates from all over the world).
The timetable to respond to the CoI was agreed by Government. They now need to perform or be removed.
christmas parties: on time
cultural shows: on time
meet and greet: on time
flying here there and everywhere: on time
getting real work done: excuses
priorities in order: we don’t do that
come on guys. It is our custom not to take anything serious. UK is playing around with these people believing that they will wake up in the morning as new and improved people. Ain’t going happen.
All the Time people calling on the Government to work with the Opposition. Now Know it all stating that the Opposition is disappointed in the Governor? This is what happens when you think you know it all. Educated Fools. They aint see nothing yet. Ting just start. This is 2024 so leh we see you wuk Baby. Stay tuned as there is a lot more to be unfolded. And this time we don’t need no Elections as the Jim Jones Clans will re-elect the same set of Mis-Fits. 2024 The Year of EXPOSURE BVI!! It aint over until the Fat lady Sings! Come on oleavine, Leh We Do Da Ting! Your Excellency, Please have a Good Evening and sleep well while the Angels watch over you and the UK Nationals.
You have a point. That phrase about watching him work baby! I don’t think stout igwe got the memo. Stout igwe, the Premier said to watch him work baby! Let’s go! We watching the worker. Unless he meant another work…you know what, never mind!
Wuk
U.K. needs to take over. Now
Kool-aid is kool-aid, no matter who drink it. This whole COI thing was like Trump running for president the first time around. It was a joke…until it got serious and he got in. UK could have done whatever a long time ago. It should have been enough for people to start behaving sensibly but it was not. The incompetent government is giving the governor this fuel. Sad but true. The Premier needs to resign immediately.
UK needs to pull the chord and deploy the parachute. BVI is in free fall with no safety net or parachute.
I am in total agreement with your Comment. Infact I think Governor Rankin too should ask for another COI for this territory. Some might be amazed with some of the nastiness that will still be discovered. You all think things have changed in this Territory? Think again. It’s worse than before. Only who know , know. Governor Rankin I hope that you read the Comments. I am in favour of the UK coming in and Yes, I am a ninth Generation Virgin Islander. Whom God Bless, NO MAN cuss. The Karnah Lady made the FR!!G.
Well after all this slothful, lackluster, lackadaisical, dont care attitude of the Government. I am of the opinion that the UK take over
The mind set is even though we are wrong this is out island and no one will yell us what to do even if our leaders are bringing down the country . Wxactky the mentality
The Unity Government had more honest persons in Cabinet. Check the duplication of Surnames in the now sitting Cabinet and go figure. Once Corrupt, always Corrupt. The Captain is not in control of his Ship. SOS, SOS!! Means well but too soft…Having an New Election is NOT the answer. I would say having a reshuffling of the HOA Members for a New Unity Government would be better. If that won’t work, then by all means, UK You are most welcome.
Head Coach never had a great Deck and He left behind a mostly Corrupt Deck. Some Good Cards were not fortunate to continue. Some Good Cards joined and some Bad Cards remained. Hon. Wheatley don’t have the Gonads to maintain a Good Deck. Thus the Bad outnumbered the Good. Unless the Deck is reshuffled, the BVI will forever be in trouble… There will always be calls for BVI People to come together and unite BUT that will NEVER happen. We need to drain the swamp once and for all. Then and only Then will we see progress.
My People of the BVI, In this year 2024, it’s high time for real Children of God to rise up and take back your Territory from the Clutches of that Demon possess Man and I am not speaking about the present Premier. Your Territory is still being run by a Narcissist in a Foreign State. He has blindfolded your present Premier and unless the Children of God rise up and band together and break that spell, your Premier can take your Territory NO WHERE. Believe me when I tell you people of the BVI your territory is being run from the outside by a Narcissist named CH. You people are looking in one direction. You people need to declare WAR but not on the UK. WAR must be declared on your Narcissist to let go of your Territory. Children of God, FAST, PRAY and SEEK God’s Face and command that Demon to let go of your Territory.The BVI is going NO WHERE until it is delivered. But the Children of God have fallen into the Trap because of Greed and Money. Scarcely the Righteous will be saved. So-Called Children of God are Workers of Iniquity. Check the Flights out of Beef Island and Boats to St. Thomas and see who is travelling. The BVI is a Witchcraft Haven. True Believers of God even you are blinded. Open your Eyes and Ears and Fall to your Knees and ask God for Forgiveness for the People of this Territory so it can HEAL. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 2024 is the year of EXPOSURE!! Many well-known Men and Women in BVI will FALL. All for the cause of Corruption and Witchcraft. Don’t Be deceived by Sheep in Wolf Clothing. The Hammer is going to fall. The current Premier is NOT running the Government. Again I say the current Premier is NOT running this Territory and the UK is aware.