BVI News

Governor Rankin reiterates full support for Commission of Inquiry

Governor John Rankin (Photo Credit: Bernews)

The BVI’s new governor, John Rankin has reiterated his support for the Commission of Inquiry (COI) which seeks to investigate matters of political corruption in recent years.

When past governor, Augustus Jaspert first announced the COI, he had stated that the investigations had the new governor’s full endorsement.

After he was sworn into office on January 29, Governor Rankin gave his inaugural address in which he said: “I fully support the Commission of Inquiry called by my predecessor and I hope the people of the BVI feel empowered to engage in the Commission so it delivers for the people.”

He continued: “I see it as a vital opportunity for these islands to carve a clearer path towards good governance and greater self-determination.”

Governor Rankin will be the one to receive the Commissioner’s report when the Inquiry is completed. He will be responsible for working with elected leaders to implement recommendations made in the report.

He also confirmed that one of his main areas of focus will be section 60 of the BVI Constitution which sets out his responsibilities for areas including:

(a) external affairs,
(b) defence, including the armed forces;
(c) internal security, including the Police Force, without prejudice to section 57;
(d) the terms and conditions of service of persons holding or acting in public offices, without prejudice to section 92; and
(e) the administration of the courts;

Section 60 also says the Governor must consult with the Premier on a number of matters.

Follow BVI New’s coverage of the 2021 Commission of Inquiry on Instagram @BVINewsOnline #TrackingTransparency at www.bvinews.com.

Shares

Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

19 Comments

Disclaimer: BVI News and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the comments below or other interaction among the users.

  1. Doh says:

    Good for this new governor. Starting off strong

    Can’t wait to see what the COI finds. Like watching Tiger King – a total train wreck but you can’t look away…

    Like 17
    Dislike 1
    • Justice says:

      When they open the inquiry, can they please have a huge banner hanging saying ” BVI Government- The nicest people money can buy”. That would be a great reminder of why they are here.

      Like 8
      Dislike 1
    • Yup says:

      I agree.

      Can’t wait for the U.K. to move back in and take things over. Buy property now as it’s only going to go up in value.

      Like 6
      Dislike 3
    • Patriot says:

      The intent of the CoI is good but if this results in the queen taking over, this will not be good for the people of the BVI. no matter what nobody says, it will not be good as the queen will remove the corruption but will raise taxes, cut the civil service, install public registers on financial services now. it will be hard, my people.

      If we get to the end of the CoI and is looking like the queen is taking over, the vip government must resign so that we can get a new election and chose fresh people to lead.

      wannebe politicians and parties get ready now.

      Like 2
      Dislike 6
  2. BVIslander2 says:

    Welcome Gov Rankin, we hope that you enjoy your time in BVI. We know that you’re aware that our country is sinking under rampant corruption both in the political arena and the civil service. Those among us with any shred of decency can admit that the country cannot prosper under these conditions, and we are relying on you to help us make this right.

    We are at this point because non of our institutions work well. There is a high level of interference in appointments which results in political allies and cronies being placed in influential positions, with no purpose other than to aid and or participate in the wide spread corruption. Please do not be fooled if you find professionals that received appointments within the last two years it will do you well to at least be suspicious.

    Having worked in the civil service years ago this behaviour has existed for a long time, but not at this current level, which is harshly enforced in a manner that can only be referred to as criminal.

    We have great hope that by the end of your tenure you would have supported the good people of BVI in helping to put policies in place that will help us to permanently change our institutions and our political system so that we will no longer be subject to being overrun by political gangs masquerading as governments

    Like 34
    Dislike 1
    • Spot on says:

      This is another reason why no public servant in statutory bodies or the civil service should be moving going any place right now, whether appointed 2 years ago or before. Let them all stay put where they are and when the inquiry is done then Governor do your do. They will try but like you said “listen” and wait for the outcome of the inquiry. Government after governments have been victimizing employees flinging them where they want using successive PSC boards and Governors to do their deceptive work. Listen until the inquiry is completed. Set of destruction movers and their cronies. Rushed through all kind of laws and policies except those that can help us govern better toward greater self determination but up and down the place sharing constitution and preaching independence. We want the results of the inquiry Your excellency.

      Like 7
      Dislike 1
    • @BVISLANDER 2 says:

      THANK YOU FOR YOUR FROM THE HEART COMMENT. YOUR COMMENT TOUCHED ME TO THE POINT WHERE I FIND MYSELF BECOMING EMOTIONAL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TRANSPARENT COMMENT. EVERY POLITICIAN PAST AND PRESENT, YOU BROUGHT SHAME AND DISGRACE TO YOUR COUNTRY. YOU NEED TO HANG YOUR HEAD VERY LOW IN SHAME.

  3. Belle Uve says:

    I A GREE WITH THE GOVERNOR TOO MUCH S**T GOING ON HERE I DONOT THINK THE PREMIER IS IN NO TROUBLE BUT HE HAS TO BEO YHE ALERT THE NDP THEY BETTER GO HIDE AND HAVE FASHLIGHTS TO BLINK AND PEEP THINGS IS GO ING TO COME TO A LEVEL SO FORMER DEPUTY PREMIER EDUCATION MINISRER HEALTH MINISTER AND THE ONE FOR WORKS GIRL TIS THING TO TALK REMEMBER THAT PEOPLE OUTSIDE HAS GOODS TOO SO DO NOT TRY TO HIDE PAPER YOU WILL BE HANG FROM THE OUTSIDERS BECAUSE THEY DONE START TO CHANELL INFORMATION. WEMEMBER WHEN ANDREW WAS IN LEGCO ALWAYS SSSASKING THE NDP GPVERNMENT AND THE BUNCH OF LIES WAS FESTERING WITH ANSWERS ORNO ANSWERE AT ALL TIME WILL TELL

    Like 4
    Dislike 11
  4. Comrades says:

    The people of the BVI must stand by their leader elected to make the hard calls.

    It will get better, in the mean time support the premier and help your neighbor!

    Everyone wanted more stimulus but it was not enough! Perhaps other concessions can be made to help the hardest hit, and most vulnerable.

    We cannot abandon our leader because foreign powers at work in order to divide and conquer.

    3 new deadly strains of COVID-19 is spreading with the potential to restrict global economic activity for the next 7 years.

    It’s only been 1 year now, therefore we must stick together, and not fall for the distractions planted.

    Like 2
    Dislike 14
    • @ Comrades says:

      You cannot possibly be serious. This whole saga reminds me of the Jim Jones affair in Guyana, The smart ones left when all the signs of dishonesty victimization and incompetence were clear early on, but some followers seemed to have lacked the ability to reason well, and or the bravery to leave only to the determent of themselves and their children.

      These so called leaders are not saviours, their dishonesty, victimization and incompetence is only to the determent of the people of the BVI.

      All the signs are around us we have tried and we cannot fix it without the British’s help. If our politicians could they would go independent so that they can line their pockets without interference. Do you really think that the gravy train would continue past a few year when the money dries up?

      Why do you continue to drink the Kool-Aid?

      Are our people so silly that we can’t reason or learn from the past, or were u one that was busy cashing stimulus cheques that you know that did not deserve?

      Like 10
      Dislike 1
    • @Comrades says:

      NOT THIS TIME. WE HAVE STOOD BEHIND OUR LEADERS FOR YEARS AND THEY STAB THE PEOPLE IN THEIR BACK. THEY ARE ON THEIR OWN. YOU DON’T REWARD A CHILD FOR BAD BEHAVIOR. I AM DOWN WITH HELPING AND SUPPORTING MY NEIGHBORS BUT NOT THE PREMIER OR ANY OTHER POLITICIANS. RIGHT NOW I AM ON AN EXTENDED VACATION FROM THE PREMIER AND ALL OTHER POLITICIANS. AGREE, WE THE PEOPLE WILL BE FINE IF WE FOCUS ON TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER. RIGHT NOW WE THE PEOPLE DON’T TRUST THE PREMIER OR ANY OTHER POLITICIANS.

    • @Comrades says:

      Heck to the freaking no. The Government can do us all a huge favor and step down. How can we as a people stand behind a Government that let us down. We all have to be punished for the not so nice things that we do to each other or have done to each other.

      Like 6
      Dislike 13
  5. Patriots says:

    The landscape of the global order is quickly changing, old wrongs are correcting.

    For these cherished islands we call home, BVI is at a crossroads indeed. Ultimately as the country continues to manage COVID pandemic it must also bring unity and hope of a better day.

    In this challenging times, citizens are call to serve and rally their leaders.

  6. Rubber Duck says:

    Few of us regard the current bunch of incompetents as “ our leaders “ More like the clowns running the circus.

    Like 7
    Dislike 27
  7. Te More Progress? says:

    The BVI, a few small pieces of land masses with sun, sand, wonderful beaches, a financial industry and great GDP, the envy and greed of many.

    Locally, some want to take its proceeds and pocket most of for themselves.

    Internatinonally/colonially, others, like sharks, wants to send in troops with bayonets and bullets, like in the old colonial land and resources stealing days, take over, kill, subjugate, take over, control.

    Today, the issues are the same. Resources and control of those resources. It is about the land and money. Were it not for money none would be here.

    BVIslanders need to realize we once ate rock stone, drank sea water to wash them dowwn and made our pillows with bird feathers for decades.

    The bird sanctuary it was relegated to. Those n****rs could never survive there after we are gone, they thought.

    Hundred plus years later, their offspring were surprised to find out we survived and have a triving financial system. Now here they come wanting to come back, take over, reclaim the lands and economy back as theirs.That’s just not right. Just evil and dead wrong.

    The UK did not give a rats a** if we did live or die. They did not give a d**n yesterday or today about the Black slave or his offspring, he was not human in their mind.

    He is not human today in their mind. That is why they can meet him anywhere on the island and walk pass him as though him as though he is invisible. That is why they can advocate to send in the troops. They are about money and the land and control of them.

    What make you think they give a rats a** about you today? They want what you have. And some colonialized minds are blind enough to be calling for UK to come in take over. You will soon be sorry you were born you damn fool you.

    The more we think we are progresssing, the more we are realizing we are going no where forward.

    Like 3
    Dislike 7
  8. And says:

    the plague of British imperialism, colonialism and neocolonialism continues.

    These will not end by them doing so. In fact, they are now reconfiguring greater control strategies.

    BVI people had better wake up.

    Like 15
    Dislike 4
  9. People says:

    For any of you to be thinking that the UK is a Saint then you are more foolish than I thought.

  10. My take says:

    Obviously the UK has some bloggers assigned to this site but time will tell.

  11. Plus says:

    BVI people better wake up to them that say is and we when they can not vote nor call BVI people their own. Rubber duck is one example.

    To the others who is paying you to write these paragraphs?

Leave a Reply

Shares