Governor concerned over conflict of interest on boards
Governor John Rankin has expressed concern over an unresolved issue where family members of certain officials serve on statutory boards. He said this could potentially present a conflict of interest.
The Governor recently highlighted inconsistencies in practices across statutory boards in a recent progress report on the Implementation of Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations.
Governor Rankin said that, despite there being a significant measure of discretion still held by ministers, he was pleased to see that a protocol for statutory board appointments is now in place and has been laid in House of Assembly (HOA) after several months of delay.
However, the Governor also pointed out that there were issues that required clarification following the implementation of that protocol.
“The definition of which ‘family members’ constitute a conflict of interest requires clarification,” the Governor commented. “I expect the protocol to be updated following the publication of the reviews. However, in the meantime, I look forward to seeing the protocol used properly and consistently.”
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley previously commented that the new protocol provides for greater transparency to the advertisement of vacancies and also allows for inclusion in that it provides term limits for members to serve on the boards, thus providing more opportunities for persons to serve.
Enhanced monitoring of boards ongoing
In the meantime, Governor Rankin said he and the Premier have both undertaken enhanced monitoring of statutory boards since January 2023, including requesting a quarterly update covering changes in board membership.
Updates on key achievements and challenges and an update on statutory requirements for annual reporting and audits were also requested as part of the new monitoring initiative.
According to the Governor, this enhanced monitoring has exposed that many boards are still non-compliant and have not provided audited accounts for many years.
“It should be noted that the enhanced monitoring described in the Framework Agreement has received limited engagement, and this means that the scale of issues is not yet fully known,” the Governor explained.
He said a report from a review conducted by Antoinette Skelton will hopefully provide more detail on this, and also provide direction for remedial plans which will need to be taken forward by all those concerned.
Skelton is responsible for the review of statutory boards, which considers the extent to which Boards meet their obligations and follow good governance practices.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
This is a far stretch now. There are ways to ensure transparency when this happens as it will be impossible for it not to happen in small island states. Everything is a problem for this man. He needs to put his post up for elections.
THIS GOVERNOR IS SOFT…ALLOWS TOO MANY THINGS TO SLIDE
What about the conflict of cover up between he and the police commissioner? Who is going to address this injustice?
It’s de kulcha
board members should all have work permits. The small monthly stipend will pay the cost of the work permit so no expense to their employer.
Also no residents or belongers permitted on statutory boards.
waste of time why dont you talk about how these Boards were appointed in the first place. The UK playing games with the VI people.
This a small island state with a small community of people who are all related. Stop the madness and stop trying to fit UK into the BVI! Your laws and rules in the UK, which is very very corrupt, cannot work here! Next he will try to say UK people must sit on our Boards. Gtfoh
You all could wait for that, the governor and police commissioner’s corruption and conflict of interest are usually sweep under the rug..ask why the human smuggling by the police was not prosecuted?
All eyes on ports with that ports lady Ri**er. Major conflict of interest especially with her father business.
We all know ports is full of corruption. She need to step down.
Boss, a lot of us related. its a small island. You think I got some business affairs with my 3rd cousins? We barely speak other than hi how are you.
Sick of you now.
why are the ministers allowed to appoint their close family members on boards like kye have decastro on bviec board? yes the question has been asked.
and some persons mentioned in the statutory board report that stemmed from the COI, were unfit to be on the boards but guess what they were still reappointed…this place is not a real place
Dem keepig all ah alyo an all ah we busy looking at we, not trusting we, looking here, there and ebrey where for corruption, while dem busy doing their affairs cause we to brainwashed to look at or watch dat good wy man.
Of course we got some issues today, even now than ole times, but tein we alone like they trying to make out.
Dem laugh an call us fools ebrey day and night round dem rum and water table.. Yes, we got a lot of awakening to do.
milton, you seems to have personal issues as what you are speculating has nothing to do with the article. HMMMMM small idol minds have nothing to do, crabs in a bucket. buh you keep watching the chairman, at least we get our 2021 increment with all our back pay just in time for Festival.
Tourist Board.
The (not so) Honourable De Castro gave undocumented and unwarranted Covid grants to:
– Her sisters
– Her boyfriend
– Her mother
For car repairs, payment of electrical and phone bills.
She should be fired / told to resign / whatever it takes.
Not every Islanders are related BUT most of those board Members are political Apointees thus the conflict of interest.
When a person wirh power to fix things, just talk talk and things remain the same. He or she be seen as a Joker, not taking seriously, has no credibility, a Paper Tiger, a Dog without teeth. All these can be relevant to this Governor..
You all are responsible for all the wrongs thats going on, especially those that were high lighted in the COI and continues. Hope they paying attention to Foy and the Maynard case and the information that’s coming out. The BVI in a mess. We need help..