Jaspert denies wilfully obstructing distribution of Crown land to locals
Former governor Augustus Jaspert has denied having a deliberately obstructive approach to signing requests for Crown lands to BVI Belongers during his tenure.
Before any piece of Crown land is issued, it must be approved by the sitting governor. But according to Natural Resources Minister Vincent Wheatley, Jaspert would delay the process for months.
“With that particular governor, Augustus Jaspert, he seems to have a real problem with locals owning Crown land,” Wheatley said in a recent appearance before the Commission of Inquiry (COI). “I had a lot of problems getting land signatures signed off on. It was always some other thing. He always wanted something else.”
“I look at these as deliberate attempts to stop or slow up the process,” Wheatley asserted.
But while appearing before the COI via video link, Jaspert told the Commission that he absolutely refutes the Land Minister’s contention.
Missing valuation reports
Through a letter read out during the hearing, the COI heard that valuation reports formed the basis on which the cost of Crown lands are determined.
Jaspert in the December 2020 letter said valuations had not been provided in any files submitted to him and asked for an explanation for this.
He reiterated in the letter the importance and need for comprehensive guidelines that would support the process and provide an equitable system for decision-making.
“Contrary to that assertion [from Wheatley], actually, the action I took was very clear about the interest of the people of the territory — interest of Belongers — ensuring that they had fairness, transparency and clear guidelines to the operation of something that is so important. And I know they play such an important part in the culture of the British Virgin Islands to make sure that land was given out in a way that was fair to all Belongers,” Jaspert said.
I was exercising my constitutional duties
Jaspert told the commission that while it was not his responsibility to administer the lands, it was his right under the constitution to request information about guidelines on how they were distributed.
He said this was despite knowing there was no one-size-fits-all rule that applied to the distribution, given that different estates may have had different criteria on how land was distributed in the area.
According to the former governor, his actions were 100 percent in support of empowering people and making sure there was fairness, transparency and clear guidelines in the distribution of Crown lands.
The Governor, who served from 2017 before departing earlier this year, had a considerably testy relationship at times with current Premier Andrew Fahie.
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Maybe if the governor wasn’t hesitant it would’ve had more sweetheart deals like what nw and mr s got
The blah blah blah man got a good land deal yeah
Gus saw what Wheatley was doing. Allegedly making deals for Crown Land at no cost to the buyer except the large kickback … They think the COI is over and things back to their normal stealing ways. The reality is the COI will recommend criminal investigation and prosecution of those who abused their power. This will be for past and present crooked Ministers. Remember this is not US law. You are guilty once indicted and must prove yourself innocent. It will be interesting. The best is yet to come.
Under English law you are innocent until proved guilty.
This the same s**t Misick tried pull in Turks and Chaos.
It seems to be the common practice of the not-so-Premier to refuse to provide documents and information to back up transactions. Which leader do you know would do something like that where they are always preaching about their belief in transparency, accountability, integrity, blaa blaa. The governor was carrying out the governments own manifesto more than the not-so-premier and his wicked cronies in power. So if by the not-so-premier’s own standards, people who are a threat to carrying out the manifesto should be fired (like entire boards) then shouldnt he also resign?
Makes NO sense. Jaspert had nor has no reason to willfully obstruct distribution. It seems piece for minister was not obstructed !
Vincent think we stupid? The COI proceedings showed that they only looked out for a hand full of people under EVERY SINGLE MINISTRY so this whole thing about looking out for the small man is nonsense.
V**O has gone rogue! Every article they been writing lately is full of bias yet they calling out others for being bias. They hardly letting through comments that challenge their bias reporting. They are trying to condition the minds of the public. BEWARE PEOPLE! This is not in the country’s best interest. Do not be brainwashed by bias media. Take a look at the history of their articles and you determine for yourself. Bias means not credible, not reliable, not independent.
Bvi news seems to have a colonial agenda. They are carrying Jaspert stories two and three times to one compared to the Government side.
U represent the BVI people good..
– “I had a lot of problems getting land signatures signed off on. It was always some other thing. He always wanted something else.” –
Welcome to the Real BVI World, Hon. Minister. This kind of nonsense is exactly what you created within departments within your ministry. I am sooooo thrilled to see bit of turn-about on you.
a lot oof people are getting wise to blonde’s blogging escapade using different names to spew out his dirty childish mentality like (RACISM )andhe
think he’s allthat/and That WIG has fooled him ?
Blonde’s blogging escapade!! Love it, rotfl!!
Imagine Mr Wheatley having to wait for something, try waiting 17 years for work permit exemption you are never going to get…
Karma is so good.
Totally agree!
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
@Brilliant….what else you are waiting for?
A thief does not willingly give up his loot.
What makes anyone thinks that the colonialist will be willing to give up its stolen loot to belongers?