BVI News

HOA returns Monday to fix status of nearly 700 Belongers

Governor John Rankin

After being dissolved last month, the House of Assembly (HOA) is now set to reconvene for an emergency sitting on Monday, April 17 to regularise the status of some 688 persons that had been granted Belongership status, without following the correct procedure three years ago.

According to Governor John Rankin, “the specific error was that they were granted their residency and Belongership certificates simultaneously, whereas, on a proper reading of the law, they should have held their certificate residency for 12 months before their application for Belonger status was made.”

Rankin emphasised that this was not the fault of the individuals concerned, most of whom he said have lived in the BVI and have contributed to the community for more than 20 years and have legitimately operated in the belief that their status granted is valid.

He disclosed that the immediate concern and reason for recalling the HOA for an emergency sitting is the upcoming general election where many of those 688 persons are registered to vote.

He said if the 2019 error is not remedied, the right of those persons to vote could be put into question, and challenges could be made to the election results.

Rankin further shared that as governor, he has an overriding concern to ensure that the elections are free and fair and not open to challenge based on persons who have voted but are not entitled to vote.

“Accordingly, I believe it’s important that the House of Assembly and the wider public were made aware of this matter and that the House of Assembly be invited to consider the best way of resolving it,” the governor added.

In the meantime, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley described the incident as an ‘honest oversight’, explaining that a recent audit of the Fast-track programme identified that the persons affected were simultaneously approved for residency and Belonger status, when in fact they should have been free of immigration controls some 12 months before applying for Belonger status.

Premier Wheatley added: “The House of Assembly has the power to validate the grant of the residency and Belonger certificates made by Cabinet, and this is what we will seek to do as early as Monday the 17th of April at the beginning of next week. A bill will be introduced in the House of Assembly to validate the residents and Belonger status of the 688 portions identified in the audit report.”

Dr Wheatley urged that the issue should not be used by political opponents as one for politicking, given that it involves the lives of very real people.

He also assured the public that the election will proceed as planned for April 24.

Editor’s Note:
The reconvening of the House is being done under Section 85 of the constitution where the governor is able to exercise such powers.

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103 Comments

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  1. Smh says:

    And there’s still people who have lived here close to 40 years without status LOL

    Like 45
    Dislike 6
  2. Hmmmm says:

    That man has no good intentions for the people of the BVI. Wait you all will see.

    Like 20
    Dislike 85
  3. TAP and the Green Machine! says:

    The Accidental Premier meet into another accident aka mistake which ‘he will fix’. I personally do not like to drive round in a bang up ride so we need to change the driver, conductor and all the workers on the bus and repaint the bus (from green) into colours more representative of country, not party. This is what happens when the power seat is overtaken by greed and wickedness in high places. Vote them out people, Vote…if you can. Send help Lord!

    Like 57
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    • @Tap says:

      It was the previous premier who was doing the fast track thing. This had to pass in cabinet but Mr. wheatley was not the one overlooking labour and immigration.

      Like 4
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      • Hmmmmm! says:

        You mean to say previous Premiers . We may have been ruled by governments that were illegitimately elected for the past 16-20 years. Frankly, I think it is disgraceful.

    • Ik put says:

      The NDP cause most of this issue when they enforce a 20year policy and disregard the Laws. They then compounded it by only issuing 15-30 sometimes even less per year. While this is silly season on talktola run that file properly. Ask ndp how many residency and belonger certificate they approved for the period 2012-2019.

      Like 6
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  4. Racism says:

    All happen is both the last Governor and the present one were against so many Caribbean people getting residency and belongers. They did not mind when the NDP illegally did it for 80 wealthy status quo upper class folks and ignored so many of the applications in for years for the Caribbean people. BVI WAKE UP!!!

    Like 18
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    • What?!? says:

      This is all you get from this. Remarkable

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    • Sir says:

      Sir, DR, Smith fast track a bunch of people before LEAVING OFFICE. However he was not Green like the VIP, he did it with class and i’m sure all who got fast tracked voted with out any problems. Experence matter’s. Head coach said it and he went to follow Dr.Smith but rushed the process putting all 688 people at risk.

      Like 1
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      • Thats what u think says:

        Audit should go back and audit them? Because I know atleast 10 persons that got that residency in [former administration] Batch that were residing outside the tereitory at the time. Them and their spouses. Thanks for bringing this up. I demand an audit on that set too! Lets see if the Governor would audit that sit, I doubt it because its all white expats!

  5. We says:

    He full of ph*ckery, I don’t have enough white expats !!

    Like 6
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  6. Seriously? says:

    The Premier blaming the AG. The AG dont vote in cabinet. Them can’t read, but want to lead. The law is clear.

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    • @seriously says:

      Knowledge is power. The AG gives legal advice and the green light to proceed on matter. If they received legal advice that these persons can be approved… then who should he blame?

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      • Reading is fundamental says:

        The AG gave permission or saw nothing wrong with doing a fast track. No issues with the actual process. As it was a matter of policy. AG did not give any in put as to who to get or not . Immigration laws already spell that out. The trouble is that the fast trackers over reach and did not follow the laws.

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  7. D TOAD says:

    On the yellow site seem to be in a different world with his story which is racist and doing all the blogging to his story by using all kinds of names to try to fool us in believing that a lot of people are blogging the same thing ,when in fact it’s only him playing his usual theatrics to deceive us , ,he got to be in fantasy land ?

    Like 28
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    • Yell'O sight says:

      The big question and wonder is how far does thr exposure go. How scared is he. How many pf the status upgrade were rewards of his. Once this government’s wrongs are not praised, this dude ramp and rave that the governor and auditor general bias. When he get the final toothache to shut his trap need to be a national holiday. Arrogance at its worst

      Like 9
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    • @ D TOAD says:

      If you click on any dislike button on that yellow site you’d see the number jump from 0 to 9, 21, etc.

      In other words they’re not logging the dislikes; so if you go back in it’ll show zero or minimal dislikes on their racist, bigoted, orchestrated comments.

      Like 24
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    • @D TOAD says:

      The Yellow site is J****n W*****k’s mouth piece! You are living in a fantasy land!

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  8. Hmmmmm says:

    The governor is just as co**upt as the government. Why was it necessary to remedy this “honest mistake” in that way. This was a deliberate act to allow his cronies to vote for his friend.

    How come Myron was charged for his honest mistake while the governor legalize someone else’s mistake. This is rediculous and we need to form brigades at the polls so they do not get in to vote.

    Like 5
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    • What says:

      Brigades at the polls? You know who the 688 are? This is so dumb it’s not even funny. Plus it’s illegal and will get u backside the jail. I don’t know why this is distracting people from the real issue. This was caused by the green team running wild with the lil power they had. Don’t get tie up people.

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  9. Immigration mistakes says:

    So when the officers said it couldn’t be done they formed a hit team to circumvent the law. Mistake yes! It was a mistake to not listen!!! It was a mistake to be unconventional. Do things the upright way. Fix everything!!!

    Like 25
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  10. Resident says:

    Thank you Governor for ensuring this step is taken to avoid another incompetent shambles, with ensuing expensive litigation.

    At least this balls up doesn’t seem to have been driven by a desire to steal from public funds; so I suppose we should be pleased.

    Like 34
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  11. Wow says:

    Error after error after error. Which is it either you are incompetent or corrupt. Which one is it. This VIP government. Like seriously.

    Like 32
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  12. Cut and paste says:

    688 honest mistakes. WOW. Wish I can make so much mistakes and still have my job.

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  13. Well Sah! says:

    Why do we have to bring racism in everything. Since when we VI people happy when so called Island people gets status in our territory? Why are we blaming the Governor for our leaders lack of honesty, integrity and incompetency. The premier received this report almost four months ago and deliberately kept it hidden from the public. This matter could been dealt with already but he didn’t want us the public to know the findings in the report. Stop blaming the Governor and blame him and his colleagues.

    Like 45
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  14. Hmmm says:

    The premier knew this when he got the report. Why did he not have it validated before house dissolve ? He needs to pay for this huge error at the polls.

    Like 54
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    • Simple fix. says:

      Take all of them off the voters list. We can’t allow this illegal act to decide the out come of our elections..Almost everything the corrupt criminal did was just that corrupt and illegal

      Like 21
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  15. Fooling the People says:

    Governor You and the UK continue to disappoint the people of this country by allowing things to be covered up. In a matter like this in the US a trial would have been held and the former AG would have had to testify if he did indeed make an arrow. You all know Fahie had no regard for Law and order and the chances of this being caused by the advice of the AG are slim.

    But to get who you want to get status Politicians will be allowed to walk over the people and not face Law and order for their wrongs. That slap on the risk charge Myron and those orders got aint fooling nobody. This place can’t be any better because those responsible for law and order refuse to uphold it.

    This hold thing is a show game with decisions already made somewhere behind the scenes.

    Like 17
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  16. IS THE BEST YOU CAN DO says:

    Writing and blogging so many times under so many different names in your effort to deceive people , you need to grow THURSDAY ni**a

  17. One of the 688 says:

    Sooooooo we getting back our money or??

    Like 11
    • @One of the 688 says:

      You have some nerve. Come on here asking about refund when you know you were taking part in an illegal scheme. We don’t give a rats a** about your refund, but make sure you give us back our illegal Belonger Status.

      Like 4
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      • @@oneofthe688 says:

        It’s a legitimate question. The powers that should have been questioning didn’t question why should someone who maybe would have qualified for both based on years living here question thee legitimacy of what was done. The people who should have ensured such didn’t happen sat by and allowed it and you going to blame one for taking advantage of the opportunity. Besides by now over 2 years have passed they should now qualify so if it’s revoke then by right funds should be returned

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      • @@ one of the 688 says:

        I doubt anyone realised it was an illegal scheme at the time, least of all the people being given status.

      • @@One of the 688 says:

        You have some nerve making a comment this dense. You sound just as incompetent as the ones who made the ‘mistake’. How would the persons have known that the opportunity presented to them BY THOSE IN CHARGE was ‘illegal’? Poor you.

        Like 1
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        • Honestly. says:

          Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

        • @@@One of the 688 says:

          Dense I wasn’t, but the ‘incompetent ones’ didn’t make a mistake. One or two can be a mistake. These were deliberate acts. 688 mistakes? I did react a little upset and for that I do apologise because the last thing one wants to see is someone who participated in this scheme asking back for their money as if money is more important than being law abiding and decent. And by the way, no one will be able to convince me that the persons taking part in this didn’t know it was illegal.

          It is definitely time to tighten up our laws. We are a community that welcomes everyone, even to the detriment of our own young people. But someone who gained illegal Belonger status should be worried about more than money as there are so many that were here for 20 plus years who were ignored. Sorry. That is just my opinion.

          Like 1
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  18. Former Attorney General need licks! says:

    Premier and the Governor are doing the right thing. If the former Attorney General gave wrong advice to approve those people, then it have to fix since it ain’t the people them fault. You guys just go ahead and fix it so we can move on. I just glad that we have a Premier who care about Island people. Thank God that 600+ plus will still get to vote after waiting three years. Only you guys were brave enough. NDP left us in limbo with this illegal 25 people a year thing.

    Like 4
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  19. Fire them!!! says:

    Fire the GREEN Team. They’re making too much mistakes. Silly mistakes at that. We just simply can’t afford anymore mistakes.

    Like 15
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  20. Lol says:

    VIP Government is a bungling bumbling mess

    Like 15
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  21. $42,000,00 says:

    Question, did the Premiere, got this report before the HoA was closed down?

    Like 15
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  22. Wow says:

    Something is not right here at all. Whete were thw Governor, AG amd others 3yrs ago…2yrs ago 1yr ago…6mths ago…3mths ago? This was done in 2019 and now a week before elections we see this mess? This smells bad!

    Like 23
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  23. Thank you BVI News... says:

    …for the honest reporting and for sticking to the facts. The story on the yellow site is so biased that it is just a ball of confusion that makes no sense in the end, steering people to have a single opinion. Whoever wrote that article on the yellow site needs to be fired or banned forthwith. Trusted and reliable reporting with bvinews. Thanks again because some of us are actually educated and prefer not to have our time wasted to read garbage or not to have our intelligence insulted by thinking we will be led into having a one-sided opinion without a full understanding of the facts.

    Like 11
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  24. Jack Husbands says:

    Oh dear. While they are it, can’t they fix the plight of those island nurses who worked day and night for over 25/30 years, put themselves and their families at risk during Covid etc etc, but were transferred to the HSA in a manner calculated to deprive them of a pension. All God’s children, not just some, must be treated with dignity and respect.

    Like 15
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  25. Belongyah says:

    While we are
    Dealing with this matter, which I blame the VIP for because the Premier had the report before the house was dissolved. Let us deal with the other two reports about the crown land snd the boards one time on Monday. We need them all out in the air before we vote starting Thursday.

    Like 21
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    • Not accurate says:

      The report was not available before the house dissolved that is not true. A draft report was provided I believe but it still had a number of items to be fixed. It was not until end of March the audit department took steps to finalise the report. Stop spreading false information.

      Like 3
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    • Webster says:

      @Belongyah,I agree with you 100%. The Governor did say that the Premier needed to inform the public on the statutory boards and crown lands matter. He had even said that if the Premier didn’t inform us, he (the Governor) would take steps to do so.

      I believe the HOA isn’t just reconvening just for the Status issue only. I believe the Premier will take the opportunity to inform on those other matters at the same time.

  26. WIDE A AWAKE! says:

    Stop blaming the UK and the Governor. Our leaders are too damn dishonest and corrupt. Showande didn’t have no intention for the public to see the report before the election only because the Governor mentioned it last week that’s reason we are here now. THAT’S A NEXT MISTAKE?? How on earth you can receive residency and belongers status at the same time. He and the whole gang need to be locked up. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.

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  27. Common sense says:

    This will be very interesting in as much that if the government sign off the granting of residency and belongership simultaneously for 688 individuals, will that be the policy moving forward. Clearly if it is not, then, it will just be one more case of double standards the territory operates under, where, the politicians continue to make up the rules to suite themselves.

    Like 15
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    • Have mercy. says:

      Is this the first and only fast tracked lot done? If it wasn’t we may have had illegitimate governments running across administrations? Inquiring minds need to know.

  28. Clever John says:

    Kills two birds with one stone , what now prevents the other reports already available to the HOA (but sat on) being released for public consumption before Election Day.
    Damned if they do and equally they should be Damned if they don’t!
    Let sunlight be the best Antiseptic , and let the Islands electorate see what has happened in the past before making their own decisions on who is deciding our future.

    Like 12
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  29. God is Good. says:

    Thanks you Mr. Gov for addressing this corrupt and illegal act, just like the man that did it. Now fast Tract those that’s been in office for years waiting and still waiting.

    Like 11
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  30. @ Fooling says:

    You all so believe in the white man and it turn you stupid. Status cannot be issued without the knowledge of the Governor and without the right legal processes. The information will come out in HOA.

    Like 2
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  31. Salty Fish says:

    What about the GREEDY BILL? They should consider that too while the sit in the HOA!

    And Wig Man’s pay out by the Government that was all hushed up – court ruled he should pay, and still Government paid with the people’s money!

    How much more do these elected officials get to abuse the public purse while the private sector is crushed with inadequacy and incompetence!

    We as people, as voters, need to make sure the HOA is held accountable. Repeal the Greedy Bill, get our money back from Wig Man, HOA has much to consider with 1 week left until elections!

    Like 12
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  32. Anonymous says:

    That means the Govt has to refund the 1,500.00 each to the receipients

    Like 11
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  33. VI Gal says:

    That means the Govt has to refund the 1,500.00 each to the receipients. Or maybe he is trying to fix the error and let the people keep their status. At least that is what I understand by the word “validate”

  34. Judge says:

    This ‘mistake’ is a legal issue not a legislative issue. The purpose of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court is to interpret the law passed by the legislature. In this particular matter the legislature contravened the applicable law so reconvening the same legislature that conspired to circumvent the law is a not the correct remedy. There is no need to resurrect the corrupt HOA. The entire matter should be litigated in the High Court where a single intelligent Judge will render a judgement/solution to this not so ‘honest’ mistake. The elections must be postponed until the legal proceedings are finished, the judge’s decision is publicized and the remedial action is completed THEN the election process may continue later this year. During the legal proceeding all the campaigning must stop and the UK Governor must run the BVI government during this interim period.

    Like 13
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  35. Fire the Green team says:

    Well this one here takes the cake! What a big plunder! Oh no, it’s a mistake. Mistake after mistake! What other mistake is yet to be uncovered by this green team. Clearly, these people we voted for was a clear MISTAKE!

    Like 20
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  36. CORRUPTION AT ITS BEST says:

    THE VIP REALLY WANT TO STEAL THIS ELECTION BY FRAUD

    Like 23
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  37. Gov! says:

    This is no honest mistake.. Governor take control. This is no legislative matter, this is a court matter..This no dam honest mistake, this serious matters.

    Like 15
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  38. Constitution says:

    of the BVI does not exclude the statute of limitations in regard to legislative mistakes. Seems that any action by the reconvened HOA on 17 April to fix their ‘mistake’ in 2019 is time barred. The 3 year limitation period expired in 2022 so any action by the HOA could be challenged in court by a well heeled belonger and invalidate any election results until the matter is resolved in the High Court.

    Like 3
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  39. Yes! says:

    This is what is what UNCONVENTIONAL GOVERNMENT looks like.

    VIP MUST GET OUT OF OUR HOA.NOW!!

    Like 14
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  40. Fast track says:

    They need to make sure that persons who’s spouses received belonged and are apart of the error That those persons recuse themselves from the house of assembly.

    Like 6
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  41. Licher and Sticher Good says:

    If the Premier had the report before dissolving the house, who else had this report? In any event the list needs to be amended, HOA doesn’t need to be called and on principle at least the VIP should recuse all its candidates from this election. Shabba Rankin cousin just feeding rope to hand the Territory with later. It’s a shame if Marlon, Mitchy and Part head had the report and said nothing. I am looking at all of them side ways

    Like 8
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  42. Ants Nest! says:

    It was aryo so called UNCONVENTIONAL Premeir the Mighty HEAD COACH doings. What you putting Marlon and Mitch in. Where are the other gangs of th**ves and ro**ers like Showande, Karvin, Wincent, Kite, Flax Charles, Wiggo and the rest. Stop casting blames on others and own aryo records.

    Like 10
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  43. 1st District says:

    INVESTIGATE I PENN TOO!!!

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  44. GTFOH says:

    The real issue is that there were people who were actually living here for 20 plus years and weren’t even considered a resident. A lot of people seem to be confusing the issue. They think that undeserving people received status because of politics. Only people that lived here for 20 years were qualified for fast track. 688 of those that qualified did not have residency or belongership. The law states that you must wait a year after receiving residency status to be considered for belongership. With the fast track it was obvious that none of the 688 waited a year which is why it was illegal.

    Like 8
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  45. Nonsensical says:

    This makes absolutely no sense. The decision was made in cabinet where the Attorney General (there to provide legal advise) would have offered comments. The monies were taken by the Government for the 2 for 1 process given those residing in the territory for over 20 consecutive years both Residence and Belonger Status. Many of these individuals, since receiving Belonger status, would have already moved on acquiring BVI Naturalisation, BVI Passports, UK Naturalisation, UK Passports, Trade Licences, etc. What do we do now? Do we revoke their statuses? Do we contact the UK to revoke their Naturalisation and passports? Do we close down their business? Of course not! The statuses were given in 2019 under a special program, the Fast Track program. These individuals are not at fault and for that reason, the government needs to fix the situation. If we are trying to be technical, these individuals would have been living in the Territory for at least 20 years in 2019. We are now in 2023. The additional 12 months needed to acquire Belonger status already passed. No need to complicate things. Regulate their statuses. This is just another political gimmick. I am a born BVIslander.

    Like 11
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  46. Cicero VI...One good Mess deserves another???? Part 1 (see Part 2 below) says:

    Is this an example of the cure being worse than the disease??? There is NO DOUBT that steps need to be taken to cure this issue: yet another HUGE BLUNDER/ MESS on the part of the previous administration under the leadership of “Baron HarkonA Foy”.

    THE ISSUE WE NEED TO ADDRESS IS THIS: the recent step taken by the Governor with the advice of SLOWANDE & HIS CABINET to recall the already dissolved 4th House of Assembly demonstrates a strained and I would say flawed reasoning & exercise of power under section 85 of the VI CONSTITUTION….

    I am not convinced and I know MANY others like me DO NOT BELIEVE that this situation is an EMERGENCY of the type or nature that makes it NECESSARY to RECALL the HOA : as expressly required under our Constitution.

    The reason is that it is not necessary to recall the HOA to deal with this serious issue…YES, IT MUST BE DEALT WITH ASAP….BUT THE RECALL ROUTE IS NOT NECESSARY….HERE’S WHY:

    This could have been done by firstly identifying which of the 688 persons whose belongership status is in question; is on the revised voters list for these elections. Remove their names from this list and produce a newly revised list! The 5th HOA can deal with & clean up this issue by legislation as a matter of priority on their agenda…along with other priority issues such as the GREEDY ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

    This extraordinary step by the Governor (with the advice and support of this Premier & his cabinet) casts a real dark cloud over these elections as it strains the exercise of section 85 of the Constitution. The number of people who currently should not be on the voter list due to this issue is MATERIAL enough to determine the outcome of this election. It therefore begs the question : WHO BENEFITS or benefits the MOST from this recall of the HOA to pass legislation so that these persons who should not be on this voter list REMAINS on the voter list???? Whether we agree or not : this current move raises the perception that preserving a significant number of people on the voter list who are only there because of the blunder of an administration is likely to benefit that administration SINCE those people are likely to prefer them and/or candidates they present since they received a great benefit from them!!! This is a REAL CONCERN AND PERCEPTION which is the DARK CLOUD over this 2023 ELECTION thanks to the fix it fast and by any means necessary response to ANOTHER VIP ADMINISTRATION BLUNDER… …ONE MESS TO FIX ANOTHER MESS

  47. Cicero VI...One good Mess deserves another???? Part 2 says:

    Ok, so can we all agree (whether orange, red, blue or green…or any other color of your choice) that this is MASSIVELY MESSY!!! ON MANY LEVELS!!!

    This can very well be an example of the cure being worse than the disease as steps need to be taken to cure yet another HUGE BLUNDER/ MESS on the part of the previous administration under the leadership of “Baron HarkonA Foy”.

    Once again the people of the Virgin Islands are left holding the bag, cleaning up the MESS, and dealing with the FALLOUT which involves yet another SHOCK on our already failing governance structure on life support: a fact which we all knew and suspected, and has been confirmed by the COI.

    Let’s also NEVER FORGET that we are NOT looking at the actions of ONE MAN who on this occasion is (drumroll please) “Baron Foy aka Head Coach”. He could have only made these messy decisions with the agreement of his cronies / fellow members of the cabinet AND HIS GOVERNMENT. While Baron Head Coach is no longer here we still have the persons who with him are COLLECTIVELY RESPONSIBLE for these decision and who should therefore be held COLLECTIVELY ACCOUNTABLE. This coming election VI Decision 2023 a STRONG MESSAGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY needs to be sent at the polls. IF not we confirm that the electorate (which is in the minority) is complicit and shares responsibility for the poor governance, poor decision making, mismanagement & ultimate destruction of what was built and entrusted to us….GOD HELP US!!!

    We NEED a completely different approach and DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT if we are to cure, repair and restore our institutions so as to enable a true turnaround for the Virgin Islands that will chart a course in the RIGHT DIRECTION: not only forward but also UPWARD. It seems that with the Greenies we are being taken FORWARD AND DOWNWARD….NO WAY MEHSON! This must STOP!!!

    Like 9
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  48. HMM says:

    The Chief, N. D. and G. C. needs to be investigated. Too many questions and reports surrounding that department and they have the nerve of praising them for a job well done at the Fast track Ceromony. That department gone to the dogs under I. P. leadership.

  49. @ WIDE AWAKE says:

    ITS THE TOAD ON YELL -OH site WITH HIS BROKEN DOWN RACISM LYRICS AS USUAL PLAYING DOLLY HOUSE WITH HIS WIG ? ? ,SO WE HAVE TO EXCUSE THE NERD ? ESPECIALLY SINCE HE CANNOT USE THE HOA AGAIN LIKE IT WAS HIS OWN ? DO PROPAGANDA IS IS ALL HE GOT ? ?

  50. Lol says:

    They knowingly and purposefully broke the law. This clean up is to ensure that the 688 are not penalized for the “mistake”. At this point and with all the water under the bridge there are more questions than answers.

    The Audit needs to be made public. Did persons pay money to jump the queue? There are so many person who were eligible that were over looked. We are only being made aware of one “mistake”. How many more “mistakes” are being covered up.

    This is very disingenuous and dishonest. Release the Audit Governor the public needs to know the full extent of the VIP government’s “mistakes” in this matter…and we deserve to know before the election!

    Like 4
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  51. Redstorm says:

    I want to think that fast track means just that. Will someone correct me. It was fast tracked! You apply for one paper and in a moment time another application can be made for another. Fast track! A process that is quickly done. The government should hav relaxed the time span for having the other documents via the HOA and have it gazette. I would say it’s bad advice from who ever the AG was.

    Tho 688 person now have the right to vote you cannot stop them, as you will infringe on their right to express their freedom in voting according to the UN Declaration of Human Rights or they can sue government ? ( I think it can happen.

    All party need to come to a conclusion of allowing the people to vote, because it is a possibility that all party get some of tho vote. This is something no party should gamble with.

    • Walter says:

      It is not fair that they got rushed through for political reasons. Many of us had a much longer process going through residency before we could even think about applying for belongership.

      Like 2
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  52. Judge says:

    Again this ‘mistake’ is a legal problem not a legislative problem. There is no quick one day fix. Resurrecting the dissolved HOA is pointless. This ‘mistake’ should be brought before a competent intelligent Judge in the High Court for Judicial Review. During the trial/review the Judge will subpoena witnesses to testify about the events in mid 2019 that resulted in this ‘mistake’ decision in the HOA.The witness statements are the evidence that the Judge will examine and eventually produce a fair remedy to all the parties involved in this ‘mistake.’

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  53. @ SIMPLE FIX says:

    you are right ✅️ and ylthe nes norm IS ( it was an honest mistake ), when their clandestine activities gets exposed ?

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  54. Report says:

    Listen just publish all outstanding reports and get it over with. No more surprises.

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  55. $$$ says:

    I’m here wondering, how many Caucasians are going to VOTE for VIP. Knowing how % # & @ + =(answer)

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  56. Summation says:

    So tomorrow they are going to move a motion to make an illegal act legal?

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  57. Sowande again... My Premier.. says:

    Do the right thing Mr. Premier redeem yourself and push to clear up the back log thats there in the office sitting or hidden for years.Thats getting oppressed from office workers over who like who and who family did this, that “Personal stuff”. That’s the right, most fair and honourable thing to do, clear the back log, Be seen as the fair and good man you are..Get a list of all the names that waiting, how long they have been waiting and whats the problem and if there is a problem was it communicated to the Applicant..Get control, take control..

  58. GTFOH says:

    It saddens me to see some of the comments and they just validate some of the negative stereotypes that some people have of people from the BVI. Stop making us look like idiots. I know it’s the cool thing to think that every action is corruption but the governor made it clear why this is happening and it make perfect sense. If one of the politicians lose the election by at least 688 votes, they would have a very good excuse to challenge the result. They could rightfully claim that persons voted illegally because they should not have received belonger status based on the laws of the BVI. Now after it is brought to the HOA if it is passed then they would be properly legalized. Apparently, the AG missed language in the Bill that would have validated the actions of the fast track.

    Now I fully expect members of the HOA to play politics with this on Monday but the people will be watching. Anybody trying to prevent the passing of this to fully allow the 688 to become legalized belongers may as well come out and say that they dont like people that are not from here which comes at a time people will remember at the polls.

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  59. Just Saying says:

    Its more than a year now. So they would be elegible for Belonger now anyway. So whats the point.

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  60. Baba says:

    So convenient that Baba Aziz is not here to defend himself hence the name calling. Same way neither Irma nor Covid here to defend themselves yet VIP forever calling their name. Look like a habit.

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  61. @Just Saying says:

    The point is we’re all in the dark as to why they were considered not eligible. We know that there is usually a twelve-month wait before someone who acquired residency to apply for Belonger Status. But were there other reasons some of these applicants were not eligible? I don’t know and neither do you? Maybe some did not have the requisite number of years necessary to be eligible and we’re hearing so many other reasons. What were actually those reasons? We need the report to be able to speak intelligently on this issue.

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  62. Rolls Eyes says:

    The keyword here are validate. People want to blame the VIP govt for things soo bad this is only minor! People feeding into the governor unnecessary chaos. Stfu

  63. Fact says:

    No matter what occurs in the HOA on Mon. 17 April it is a guaranteed fact that one or more of the 28 or 29 losers on the Mon. 24 April polling day is going to challenge the elections results in the High Court on 25 April.

    Stop the steal and put the matter before the High court for Judicial Review TODAY!

  64. hmm says:

    Every time these man dirtiness come out they like to say mistakes were made… VIP itself is the mistake!

  65. Smh says:

    Just shut up now upu have made enough of a fool of yourself

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