Government ministers must now document their decisions

Kedrick Malone.

Government ministers are now mandated to document their decisions.

This change stems from recommendations by the Commission of Inquiry (COI), aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability within the government.

COI Governance Reform Delivery Manager Kedrick Malone discussed these new requirements on the Talking Points radio show, stressing the importance of such reforms in governance. He explained that documenting decisions is critical for maintaining transparency and accountability in ministerial actions.

The COI, initiated to investigate allegations of corruption and suggest improvements in governance, made numerous recommendations. Among these, the emphasis on record-keeping stands out as a pivotal shift towards more open governance.

“One of the reforms that was implemented is called discretionary powers, where ministers are now required to go through a process of documenting their decisions,” Malone explained during the show. “Looking at the legislation and the policies affecting those decisions, if they appear to be contrary to the law or policy. So, that is in place as a new reform to address how decisions are made.”

Rectifying systemic issues

This policy change aligns with several COI recommendations to rectify systemic issues in the BVI’s governance structures. The COI report highlighted the need for greater clarity and accountability in ministerial decisions, suggesting that such reforms would help prevent misuse of power and enhance public trust in government operations.

The COI report found that government decisions were often made without clear criteria, adequate documentation, or transparent justification. This led to decisions that significantly impacted public finances and the lives of residents without sufficient accountability.

To address these concerns, the COI recommended instituting more stringent guidelines and oversight mechanisms, including more defined rules and criteria for exercising discretionary powers to ensure they are used appropriately and transparently.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley recently indicated that the government is now at the ‘tail end’ of the process for implementing COI recommendations and assured residents that he will meet the agreed extension deadline of August 31.

“This takes time, diligence, and care in ensuring that the changes we make are in the best interest of the Virgin Islands,” the Premier said. “I think we are doing that thanks to very robust and sometimes contentious but necessary discussions and debates in both Cabinet and the House of Assembly.”