Gov’t to implement code of conduct laws for public officials
Government has announced plans to implement a number of measures and legislations in the British Virgin Islands which is geared towards solidifying good governance in the territory.
Premier Andrew Fahie in a recent statement said he is delivering on his election campaign promise to put the necessary systems in place to ensure transparency, accountability, good governance and best practices in the BVI.
“Immediately, we will be moving to put in place, in short order, the Code of Ethics for ministers, all elected officials, public officers and all statutory bodies, ” the Premier said.
“The new procurement legislation and asset seizure legislation will also to be brought into force and this will cultivate a new era of transparency which, might I add, would include spouses and extended family members of public officials, ” he added.
He continued: “With these systems in place, the public purse will be more securely protected. Taxpayers will get greater value for money. Citizens will be treated more fairly. Persons will be able to enjoy a life in the BVI where they would not be unfairly subject to their reputations being tarnished or their character assassinated while they are innocent,” the Premier said.
Audited financial statements being processed
Premier Fahie, who is also the Minister of Finance, pointed to what he deemed as an unconstitutional act under the previous NDP administration to not produce any audited financial statement since 2016.
He said his government has been working to produce he outstanding audited statements for the previous financial years.
“I am pleased to say that the 2017 audited financial statement is in the process of being completed and the 2018 audited financial statement will follow thereafter,” Premier Fahie stated.
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No more sexual harassment from ministers
What about implementing the whistle blowing legislation law while you are at it?
This should have been in place from ages ago! Code of Conduct, Updated General Orders, Freedom on Information Act. Have the VIP declared their interest in the Register of Interest? NDP certainly did not; is VIP going to do the same and break the law in our Constitution?
An unethical government implementing code of conduct and code of ethics in their government. Let’s guess, to keep the serfs/peasant class in-line. There is an adage that says, “beware of those too eager for power and to maintain control; that power will eventually consume them.”
I commend the Premier and his team.
A code of conduct for public officials, public servants is way past over due. It is a bed rock principle of good governance. Nonetheless, it is one thing to develop and implement a policy but it is yet another thing not to enforce it at all or enforce selectively. Code of conduct sitting on the shelf collecting dust and not enforced is not worth the paper it is printed on. It must and should be enforced fairly and equitably. Every public servant should take the code of conduct very seriously; it should be hanging over public servants head like the Sword of Damocles. The chain of command setting the personal example is critical for the effective functioning of the code of conduct. If public servants adhere to the code of conduct, the Sword of Damocles will be just a figurative organizational decoration.
So the moral of the story is that if people follow and live by the code of ethics/conduct the ever-present threat /need for coaching, counseling, suspension or termination for improper conduct/behaviour/performance will be a non issue. The imaginary Sword of Damocles would not become reality and drop. Every supervisor/manager/ permanent secretary/ department head/minister/Premier&Governor must be held responsible and accountable for doing his/her job.
A position is more than a job title that entails certain privileges/status and comes with effective performance and high expectations to deliver service(s) in a timely, quantitative, qualitative and cost effective manner. Residents must get value for money and strong action must be taken to promote, not tarnish the territory’s brand, its image. Upholding the rule of law is a critical, essential and key brand protection action item. Leh ve geh ah dun! Eh mek cencense !
1. Will elected officials complete the Register of Interest annually and will action be taken against those that don’t?
2. Will appointed officials complete the Register of Interest annually?”
3. Will government equipment and vehicles be used only for official business?
4. Will financial audits be completed in a timely manner consistent policy?
5. Will contract pricing be fair and reasonable?
6. Will employees punctuality be enforced?
7. Will there be strict inventory and accountability for tools and equipment?
8. Will senior civil servants complete the Register of Interest?
@Socrates, keeping engaging the folks in Athens street corner or Road Town or Spanish Town or the Settlement or Great Harbour street corner, for at this point in time little, if any, of this will come to fruition. Policies are ignored in the VI with impunity.