Lawmakers told to choose public good over personal gain in HOA
As concerns continue over the issuance of government contracts to lawmakers in the House of Assembly (HOA), elected officials have been urged to prioritise the public’s interest over their own personal enrichment.
In his most recent report on the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations, Governor John Rankin pointed to the review done on the practice of HOA members contracting with government and statutory boards.
In the review, which was conducted by Denniston Fraser and tabled in the House at the beginning of September, Fraser highlights that “in the UK, a member in the House of Commons may not enter into a contractual arrangement which fetters the member’s complete independence in parliament.”
However, he noted that there is a recognition that, in “the BVI, where resources (both human and otherwise) are limited, quite often the government of the day is faced with the challenge of accepting bids from sitting members”.
Legislators have repeatedly excused themselves from proceedings in the HOA because of their close affiliation to firms that have continued to do business either with the government or the HOA directly.
“One would hope, however, that the priority of elected officials and senior public servants would always be for the public good rather than individual benefit,” the governor wrote in his latest report.
Rankin argued that, for competition to increase in the territory, a range of businesses need to be encouraged to develop and grow.
“The reviewer advocates for a strengthened Integrity Commission, clarity on disclosure, provision giving the Registrar of Interests ‘more teeth’, as well as a code of ethics for members,” Governor Rankin added.
According to Rankin, the framework agreement expressly committed ministries to continuing to implement “new good governance legislation”.
With that in mind, the governor said he expects to see a strengthened Integrity in Public Life Act to brought to the HOA for passage over the next few months.
Rankin said he will continue to work with the Premier on the Integrity in Public Life Act, however, he noted that while the previous Act was assented to in February 2022, COI scrutiny highlighted a number of deficiencies, including a lack of penalties, issues with definitions, and issues with how the Act related with criminal law and the Public Service Management Code.
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Choose Public good. over their personal gain?
The only reason they do run for office is to fill their and their cronies pockets. Not seeing that changing any time with persons elected just for that reason and to get the envelope.
THIS – “in the UK, a member in the House of Commons may not enter into a contractual arrangement which fetters the member’s complete independence in parliament.” Is complete BS
UK politicians put themselves above the country every day. Most recently accepting large cash donations in return for granting private healthcare companies access to the National Health Service.
During COVID the ruling party stole Billions (with a B) from public funds to enrich their friends and family. It is corruption on an enormous scale and borders on treasonous.
The majority of people in the Territory have gotten too comfortable with their greedy mentality that they can’t live without it. In other caribbean jurisdictions Elected Officials and their families go to Jail for this type of behaviour. If a man or woman sits in Government they cannot hold a Government Contract nor can a family of theirs. They go straight to Jail for that. The Governors may have their own faults on certain issues but our own Government Members need to do better. These are not Lavity, Ralph and Omar days. If you know better, do better. Look at the contracts given to the then Hon. Goat. So don’t we have more Stage people in BVI? and to not even alternate the Contracts but the Member Hogging everyone. That doesn’t look right nor smell right.
And the knowledgable hypocrits quick to point fingers down here bout we corrupt. Set ah helpless crooks.
now usually become enemies later.
This has to be said? We keep on voting in these holy so called leaders.
With dem at the wheel we never ahead of anything just reactionary
We hitting every possible pothole on each side of the road
NO WAY !. These politicians don’t care about the public, just their pocket.
This was a waste of time to even read. The whole reason every one of these people ran for office was to dip the hand in the cookie jar.
Not a single candidate in the last election ran on any kind of reform platform. The UK watched all this happen. It is business as usual in the BVI.
The Governor needs to accept status quo. You have 2 choices:
1) resign and leave us alone
2) grow some stones and try to have UK take over
Neither choice is a good one. But I ask that you shut your pie hole and get on with it!
What a thing….to tell politicians to look after the public interest before they look after their own.
Not everyone in it for money.
We are more concerned about contracts for kickbacks that come with Pier Ports and Airports and countless other overpriced projects.
The problem in the BVI is that all the candidates on the ballot fall into the same category. The new persons that are elected are no better than the ones that previously served. It’s like trying to find the better apple in a basket of rotten apples. That’s why we had a low rate of voter turnout in the last election. The options leave little to be desired and no matter who is elected, nothing changes. Then they wonder why we think that they are all corrupt.
All them town man eating good.. got contracts.. NDP Dem life blood