Deputy Governor’s office needs to held accountable too
At-large Representative Stacy “Buddha” Mather says he understands why many in the Virgin Islands have been calling for stronger reform mechanisms to remove government ministers — but believes the Deputy Governor should be added to that list as well.
Speaking during the ongoing constitutional review debate, Mather said the recommendations in the review report that focus on accountability and integrity in public life are justified, since many residents feel there are limited ways to hold leaders responsible for their actions while in office.
“Recommendations 7 to 10 focus on reform mechanisms for elected members, and they single out ministers. Why would they single out ministers? You know why the population single out ministers? Well, y’all are at the top of the tier for many things,” Mather told the House of Assembly. “If the public is asking that question, there’s something they’re not satisfied with … because people need a way to say this is enough, we have had enough.”
Mather said he supports introducing legislation that would also make the Deputy Governor subject to removal mechanisms, noting that accountability should apply across all levels of leadership. “We need to add in there how to remove the Deputy Governor. That’s my recommendation as well,” he said, acknowledging that some of his colleagues laughed when he made the comment but adding, “I’m gonna say it.”
He noted that the Commission of Inquiry and the constitutional review process have both underscored the need for systems that strengthen public confidence in governance. Mather said the report’s call for a code of conduct and integrity measures is consistent with what many in the community have demanded — a clearer way to assess and, if necessary, discipline leaders.
The At-Large Representative also questioned why ministers are effectively “appraised” only once every four years through elections, saying that kind of review process would be unacceptable in most professions. “Have you ever seen an appraisal system in the government extended to the ministers? We get an appraisal every four years. Any other job in the world, do you get four years to pass before you get reviewed?” he asked.
Mather further acknowledged that while residents often express dissatisfaction with their representatives, elected officials also need to do more to communicate their work.
“Our people sometimes don’t know what we do because we don’t show them. We don’t tell them,” he said, adding that the constitutional review process has provided a model for better public engagement and transparency in leadership.
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Mather hit the nail on the head because the current DG believes he’s bigger than any administration bullying public officers left and right infringing on their constitutional rights. Victimisation starts with him
I most certainly agree along with the Permanent Secretary.
He seems like a trouble maker
The headline is clickbait but the content of the article is spot on. Leaders MUST be held accountable. Mather and Walwyn are the 2 most sensible representatives in the HOA. The others are mostly there to grandstand and do little more than spew xenophobic or self-serving nonsense rather than to say what actually needs to be said. The District 3 Rep is the WORST, followed by the immediate former Leader of the opposition.
Mather is sensible how? They are power-hungry and that is it. Name one thing that Mather has done since in power, one thing that he has advocated on. NOTHING. ZERO. HOT AIR. He is just glad to be there. If Walwyn think the licks in 2019 stung he will jump the sea in all his clothes when he get the sting in 2027.
Well if Mather has done nothing then Ronnie has does minus nothing. I haven’t seen him since election nearly three years ago and all he has shown is how b** minded he is. If Myron getting blows in 2019 then Marlon and Ronnie just need to get buried from now.
I concur Iyah. These lifetime positions in governmental offices are what’s stymieing the growth and development of the civil service. Some seem to be graduates of the Peter Principle University!
The DG has been a whole heap of fluff and not much substance as the civil service under his administration has suffered from lack of true leadership. Time for a change. Time for his office to be held accountable for the frustrations of the civil service.
should be a FDOC position that rotates a new Deputy to each BOT every 4 years just like the Governor. Definitely not a position for local persons in each BOT.
FCDO** – Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
But it is. The DG is appointed by the UK not locals
Waste of time hot-air that just says things that sound good like clickbait, but in actuality the things are not practical and not usable in normal society. But thats because he has always lived in an alternate reality down there Pockwood Pond isolated. The DG is an appointee, who like all appointees anywhere in the modern world, can only be removed and should only be removed by who appointed him. Of course there are already mechanisms for his or her removal. Dont be a moo-moo. What you mean is that you want to be able to pull down another local, like crab in barrel and don’t like that the DG is accountable to the King. If you don’t like it then claim independence and remove the King! But Noooo instead you want to be able to pull down our own people first!
If we had to not wait every 4 years to fire underperforming legislators, then our socio-political system would crumble with by-elections every year and votes of no confidence twice a year. Our Financial Services would disappear. Outside investments would dry up due to instable government.
This dude is showing his political immaturity and naivety and lack of understanding of how economies work. The things he says sounds good for emotional responses but are impractical and doesn’t consider the long term impacts.
The good thing is that he will not be re-elected so no harm and no foul!
You said a whole lot of NOTHING and DG is accountable to the GOVERNOR! You gave him waaaaaay too much clout and status which is the problem because he would love to believe he is who he thinks he is. Secondly, this whole narrative of hot air you sat and types should have remained in your thoughts. You clearly know nothing about what goes on in the public service and why he said what he said. But, opinions are like a-holes, everybody’s got one. But this, should have stayed in your head.
The DG is simply a figure head. The posittion is useless.
The fact that a governor is forced upon a people and he people can never elect their own governor, indicates a people who are being left out of genuine world respect and self governance.
Wasn’t Already Frett fired in the past? Hmm.
@LB: GYMS!
You I know for a fact are one of hr VIPers parasites. Mather done more for the youths of the BVI than that sloth/preggo frog has ever done!
Whether the DG is appointed or not; the current fat cat is an utter waste of space and place. All dude been doing for years is self-promotion. Hope he’s in JA promoting his crappy works.
You of all people like to call persons ‘politically immature’; I laugh because you have never and will never be elected and that reality bites you in your boom-bye-bye self. So do us all a favor and crawl back in your crab hole and wait for your next handout pleb.