BVI News

Gov’t ‘removing legal barriers’ so COI can access privileged info easily

Premier Fahie

The Andrew Fahie-led government is moving to amend the BVI’s law books to remove “any legal barriers” that could prevent elected/appointed members of the House of Assembly (HOA) from sharing information held inside the territory’s Register of Interests.

Effectively, the Register of Interests is a record kept of the financial interests of legislators. Its purpose is to give them the mechanism to publicly declare any private interests which may conflict or maybe perceived to conflict with their public duties.

But under Section 9 of the BVI’s Register of Interests Act, the register cannot be open for inspection, except under specific circumstances such as court order.

The Fahie administration said it will amend that section to assist the Commission of Inquiry to access such information “without any legal impediments”.

In a statement Tuesday night, the government said: “We will be seeking to amend the Register of Interests Act by inserting an additional circumstance in which the Register of Interests may be open for inspection, namely at the written request of a Commissioner of Inquiry (COI).”

“The amendment would further permit the Registrar of Interests to provide the Commissioner of the COI with a copy of pages from the Register of Interests,” the statement further said.

It continued: “It is important to note that amending the Register of Interests Act is something your government sees as essential because we believe in the spirit of cooperation and transparency at all levels. As a responsible government, we see the need for this amendment to the Register of Interests Act.

Changes to be made in upcoming HOA

The amendment will be introduced at the next sitting of the HOA which commences tomorrow.

The Fahie administration further pledged to continue to foster a transparent COI “to allow for a just outcome”.

In the meantime, this move to amend the territory’s Register of Interest Act is in keeping with the government’s decision to establish an Inquiry Response Unit (IRU).

The IRU was established on February 5, 2021 — roughly two weeks after former governor Augustus Jaspert ordered the COI to investigate whether corruption, abuse of office, or other serious dishonesty may have taken place amongst public, elected and statutory officials in recent years.

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

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22 Comments

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  1. Uhmmmmmm says:

    Do you have a choice?

    Like 32
    Dislike 2
    • Nope says:

      Nah, he is forced to do so anyway. Trying to look good in public eye.

      But he’s a fake and a l**r. Fire burns

      Like 23
      Dislike 3
  2. Inquiring Minds says:

    When the Governor was seeking information, why was it not easily accessible? We see you Andy and we watching you.

    Like 36
    Dislike 5
  3. Niagara falls says:

    The VIP trying every trick in the book. They didn’t report what all they have in the register so there is really nothing there. I don’t think you have to record your cash balances in the register. Cash is the preferred method of action for these cats. They playing smart again. Andrew has been getting away with a lot of things over the time he has been in government and the people know this. Never could trust him with anything especially if it is green and can be used as legal tender.

    Like 31
    Dislike 10
  4. More lies to hide says:

    Everyday Andrew you showing the ppl that you are guilty and afraid of something
    It seems like lying is your morning prayer cause is everyday the news publishing you telling lies
    The bvi ppl are not stupid to fall for your lies anymore
    But don’t worry you get the body to survive in jail you will look good in there

    Like 27
    Dislike 5
  5. VG MAN says:

    Good move Premier.

    Like 7
    Dislike 22
  6. Keep telling you all says:

    ANDREW IS PLAYING A DIRTY UNDER HAND GAME. KEEP TELLING YOU ALL THE FINANCIAL PORTFOLIO IS IN THE WRONG HANDS. NO MATTER HOW MUCH THIS MAN PROFESS THAT HE IS SO GODLY, GOD DON’T CONDONE WRONG. HE NEED TO STOP THE MADNESSES AND PARANOIA OVER THE COI INVESTIGATION. I AGREE, DEPENDS ADULT DIAPERS FOR MEN IS FLYING OFF THE SHELVES AS FAST AS THEY STACK THE SHELVES. WHAT A MAN SOW, HE SHALL REAP. WHAT GOES AROUND, WILL COME BACK AROUND, WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN. LOOKING MORE AND MORE GUILTY EVERY DAY.

    Like 22
    Dislike 1
  7. SMI says:

    They enter what they want to enter that’s why he is open about it, You can’t fool us anymore, just like you can’t fool the Commissioner of Inquiry (COI).”

    Like 20
  8. Well what...... says:

    What do you expect from someone who is running scared and nervous every day? THE COI HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION THEY NEED.

    Like 21
    Dislike 1
  9. Hmmm says:

    These dam house slave there worst than the enemy it self. There are the strength of him..need clean house any means necessary cut the head of the snake off

    Like 3
    Dislike 3
  10. Lol says:

    Because the registers are empty as a result of technicalities but when the COI finish you will hear the news.

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  11. Dont have a choice says:

    This is What those fools in VIP allow CSC to bring them to….CSC war-like approach and disrespect to the Governor is what really fueling this COI. He need to be cut down.. The Governor is determined to cut him down, even if it takes taking over..

    Like 13
    Dislike 4
  12. Aint sorry for them says:

    He said he dont read bloggs and instruct his Children / Other government members not to read bloggs that was so upsetting, no matter how you feel about bloggs, its the people talking you are better off tuning in to what they have to say, they are the voters, they are the ones bringing you the street talk, what people are saying, what they are thinking, how they are feeling. To say you and your members dont read bloggs because one person blogging 3 and 4 times, I can tell you not on this site it doesn’t happen, I tried blogging twice and I was told to stop, slow down…U Been the master approach but the BVI in hot water..

    Like 9
    Dislike 6
  13. Anonymous says:

    well

  14. anon says:

    Must have finished the document shedding then…

  15. ok then says:

    the government have rid themselves of the evidence so now it is open to the COL

  16. What a pity says:

    The same set of haters of the Government blogging all the time.

    Like 1
    Dislike 2

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