New governor pledges to focus on COI reforms
Former governor, John Rankin, has departed the BVI but his successor Daniel Pruce has assured the territory that he will be focusing on the good governance reforms handed down by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) in 2022.
The reforms — which the elected government accepted so power would remain in their hands — have been a source of much contention. Because of these reforms, the last governor threatened to impose additional powers over the elected government that was accused of moving slowly with enacting the changes.
In his first address as BVI Governor, Pruce said his priority will be to “deliver positive change for all the people of the Virgin Islands.” Later on in his speech, he explained that positive change involves the implementation of the COI recommendations, something he will be focused on throughout his tenure.
“I will, of course, work closely with colleagues in the Virgin Islands government to fulfil the commitments made in response to the findings of the 2022 Commission of Inquiry: commitments made by a number of parties, including the office of Governor,” Governor Pruce said.
He continued: “Delivering the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry will help us achieve the positive changes we all want to see, including better access to services, a fairer society with opportunities for all, and a more accountable and transparent government. So all of us involved in this critically important work bear a shared responsibility – and an individual accountability – to approach it in the spirit of determination and collaboration.”
As many BVIslanders remain skeptical of the Governor’s Office, the new Governor asked the territory to judge him based on the results he achieves during his tenure.
“I will serve everyone, all communities, all islands, without fear or favour,” Pruce said.
And amid complaints that Governor Rankin threatened the territory’s democracy, Pruce said he believes in transparency and democracy.
“I believe passionately that openness and democracy go hand in hand. So I will set myself a high standard of transparency. And I hope those I work with will help me achieve that,” Pruce said.
Although no one has confirmed, the threat of additional powers for the Governor still looms over the BVI. This is a move elected leaders are against, as they believe this will give the UK’s representative the power to introduce unfavourable laws in the BVI.
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deliver positive change for all the people of the Virgin Islands.
I do not trust this man to do this for me or the VI.
This has got to stop at some point.
@ Eva Town Belonger
you don’t trust him, but you trust the government that give out covid grants to them friends and family to fix them car suspension.
while you stuck home unable to make a dime from lockdown. lmfao
yea buddy keep taking kick from your own.
blind and ignorance will be our downfall.
@@Eva Town Belonger…. I trust no man not one. If you are hung up on who got grants that’s on you. I didn’t get any didn’t request any. Saddle up. Ain’t no Governor coming her care about the people here. Don’t you see the agender he is on.
Gov done look like a weasel.
Need to focus on the incompetence of the departments you are responsible for and the slow to action your predecessors did to allow a foot sore to become badly infested.
Why is it such a secret what happened to the police who was found drowned in his car.
You all came up with these reforms to handicap the people while those that were there before were not enforced by departments that you all are responsible for.
Meanwhile, those who break those laws will go on and get a slap on the risk or a free pass. But the people will reap the harsh penalties.
As a British expat….Governor you talk about “Democracy” so I sincerely look forward to the swift assent of the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Bill and the Cannabis Licensing Bill. These legislative changes were manifesto pledges, upon which the voters of these islands chose to vote in favor of.
In the interim, the UK government has in all their hypocrisy, allowed medicinal cannabis to be prescribed to patients in the UK (over 89,000 prescriptions issued (Nov 2018 – July 2022) but yet patients here in chronic pain are denied this now mainstream treatment.
If you use the word democracy then understand that it is not something which you pick and choose from your Ivory Tower in Whitehall or Governor’s House. It means the will of the people, not your will.
Remember your role is at odds with democracy: you are appointed by persons unknown thousands of miles away, most have never even visited these islands and could not give a crap about the people here. You are part of the apparatus of colonialism. You may tell yourself something different as you look in the mirror but objectively this is the reality.
You can be a force for positive change but you must serve the people here, not the faceless civil servants of London or their craven political overlords.
Get out of your chauffeur-driven car, walk the streets, meet the wonderful people here and talk to them and ask them their concerns. Go buy your own groceries in Fine Foods, in Bobbys and listen to what people tell you. Yes COI is important but these islands are stagnating as a consequence. Nothing is getting done.
He should get to know the fine officers of which you speak and then he would realise that the problem is his second in command and permanent secretaries.
playing good until truth comes to light might need more of the same!!!
New Governor pledges to focus on COI reforms?!?
I listen to the man whole speech, waiting to hear what he have to say about the COI. He barely mentioned the COI much less focused on it.
More dangerous the UK, it is the people here who carrying the news.
You need to put down the pipe for a few days.
Governors been all talk no action. while my government continue to blatantly show little to interest in the reforms.
either you use them extra powers or utilize that order in council
A whole year after I thought this show would have been 80% over done by now
YOU IS ALREADY KING & QUEEN OF THE YELLO SITE / STAY OVER THERE , YOU STILL BLOGGING YOUR RACIST SH*T ON THIS SAME SITE YOU ARE CRITICIZING , YOU ACTING LIKE A BULLY
sounds good to me.
Open and transparent government!!
will be 2 years old in April 2024. Time for the new Governor to enforce this order and suspend the BVI constitution for a few decades until ‘good governance’ is re-established in the BVI.
Let the games begin. 🙂 in this corner we have this guy and he is so smart, fresh and motivated from a meeting with Charlie the Kang he is Daniel. In the other corner, we have a team of misfits not knowing what the heck they are doing 18 hrs out of every day, we have S!0w W@nde and his crew the A$$ C!0wn Brigade.