It’s hard work to transform gov’t over two years — Premier
Despite the challenges he has faced and delays encountered, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said he is proud of his government’s progress on governance reforms over the past two years.
“Let’s remember we are reforming a whole governance system in two years,” the Premier said. “We treat it as though it’s something easy. It’s not easy. It’s difficult work. All of the things that we’re doing are a complete transformation of how we do business in government.”
He commented that the work was being done in the best interest of the people of the territory and the best interest of transparency, and accountability with an adherence to the rule of law.
“What’s going to give the people of the Virgin Islands confidence is actual delivering. We recognise that persons want to see that you’re getting things done and we are going to deliver. Over the next few weeks, you’re going to see a number of actions and a number of recommendations,” Dr Wheatley said.
Premier Wheatley said he disagreed with an assessment by former Governor John Rankin that ministers in his government were not making governance reform a priority. He said Overseas Territories Minister David Rutley also recognised the commitment of government ministers and other officials during his visit recently.
“What he communicated to me; his advice to me was ‘Get an individual who you can hold accountable and this is the only thing they’re responsible for. It’s just ensuring that everyone does what they’re supposed to do – one individual and that’s their only responsibility.’ And we’re taking his advice on that,” the Premier disclosed.
Premier Wheatley also stated that Minister Rutley recommended closer collaboration with individuals in the Governor’s Office.
He further noted that some actions have taken place already, including several key pieces of legislation. “We laid the constitutional reports in the House of Assembly. We gave the Register of Interest Amendment Act its first reading, we brought into force the Whistleblower Act, we brought into force the Integrity Commission Act,” Dr Wheatley said.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
If you will stay in the BVI long enough and do some work you will find out how easy it is. I hope the UK take over your job and get rid of you for the good of our beautifull Virgin Islands. You cant even run a candy store much less an Island and it shows everyday, the march yesterday should have been to get you out of office then you would have seen how many people feel about you as Premier.
when you all begged for the COI ? because they were so corrupt and now the same COI provided the evidence you all are worse , so how can it be that hard ? for you to clean up your own mess . hey , you created it ( stoutt left a good example for you all to emulate and take the country to a higher level , but without integrity is what have us where today ( DON’T forget we have those cold blooded execution style killers loosed on the streets to clean up ) if we are ever to get back normal again
This cat is as worthless and as pitiful as one can get – and I am talking about day-to-day life, nit as a leader of this Country! Everyone here talks in the shadows but too afraid to do things to make the changes. I am at a loss as to how we save our country now because when it comes down to everything, we as a people are just as worthless as our ‘leader’ when it comes to making changes.
but traveling abroad every other week on our dime is easy
It is pretty amazing how many people are crying on both sides here! In order to understand the reality of our situation you need to fly a little higher.
The UK will do NOTHING! Get that in your skulls!
This group running our current Government, like the ones before them, and so on, where all democratically elected by us! Whether you like the group or not or how they got to power is irrelevant, they are the ones that got the collective seats, and are the elected party and run the country.
The UK will not (short of egregious behavior) alter a democratically elected group. Even after what Head Coach did, we the people democratically re-elected a bulk of the same party! WE DID THAT!
The only way this group gets removed is if we as a people get together and democratically remove those in power and bring about a new election. So many people are selfishly conflicted in so many ways in this country that it is unlikely any real groundswell of change will ever materialize to benefit the collective whole.
Facts are facts! We as a people are the only ones that can bring about accountability and change.
I reiterate, there is no way the UK will do anything to alter or remove people we have elected to the position of running the Country. We know why we voted for whom, whether that is for selfish reasons, the greater good, or whatever! We are here in this position because we ourselves did this to our country, or families, our youth, and our future.
If we want to change, it is entirely on us! As of now, there is neither the will or the want from the general populous to do anything about it but cry and talk but do nothing! We let the vocal minority of narcistic self-centered people tale the stage and control the narrative.
Reap what you sow people!
But you said you could do it. So do it.
The more you all hate on Wheatley the more we the people will ensure he gets another term in 2027.
I thought you guys had a plan…if not why did you run twice for office? Excuses excuses
I say this all the time, these persons fight to be in these positions.
And when elected, nothing.
“Watch me work baby”
I believe that’s what he said to a certain media personality.
Step aside and let Britain over take the for just 2 yrs and we will see progress…
Of course it takes time.
But in the meantime you’ve let other Wheatley and the education minister get away with giving Covid grant money to friends.
So let’s not pretend Natalio actually made an effort.
What waste to humanity
Hard work? Ha! Try impossible if a booboo clown is the one who have to lead the transformation. Never happening! This one requires a special miracle like in Jesus days!
Dear Premier,
Of course, it will be hard to work to transform any country in 2 years when there is NO PLAN in place to do so. The BVI’s political system sucks and is borderline considered a joke in so many high-level discussions.
There seems to be no vision hence the lack of forward thinking. Everything is reactively done in response to something that hasn’t gone wrong instead of proactively created to help create change.
We are not creating an environment for the younger generation to want to add to the political science but rather everyone just wants to see how much they can line their pockets and that of friends and family. The love of country seemingly died with the Elders who fought hard for what little we have existing today.
So, yes it will be hard but it’s not impossible if you and your team truly love this country. Find a way to get us back on track before we lose what little we do have left.
Sincerely,
Concerned Citizen
Deliver on roads, electricity, sewage, education. Stop giving overpriced contracts to incompetent family and friends.
Then please Quit and let someone competent take the job you begged for, Please.