New gov’t must push transparency — Benito Wheatley
Special Envoy to the Premier, Benito Wheatley, has urged that the newly re-elected Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government make transparency a hallmark of its administration.
“Transparency is something that can always be improved and we needed much more of it. So, going forward, the new government has to push transparency,” Wheatley said recently.
He suggested that those efforts by the government at improving transparency can include the long-promised Freedom of Information Act which was expected to be introduced during the Andrew Fahie-led administration early last year.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley commented previously that his government was still committed to introducing the legislation after it had been shelved in the wake of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report and the resulting framework agreement for the implementation of reforms.
In the meantime, the Premier’s Special Envoy also suggested that in boosting its attempts at transparency, the government can continue to release information to the public in different forms.
He also expressed support for an initiative by the Premier and Opposition members in the House of Assembly to have the committee stages of legislation made public. “I see no reason why it should not be public,” Wheatley said. “I think people have a right to hear the discussions and debate on bills. It shouldn’t simply be something discussed in the back room or off-camera. I have a right to see the rationale behind these things and to understand.”
According to Wheatley, these efforts at transparency will likely give the public more confidence and more understanding of what is happening in government.
And while noting that lawmakers just emerged from what he described as a bruising elections campaign, Wheatley urged that there should be some sort of reconciliation between the various political parties for persons to move forward.
“We have to put the elections behind us and not hold on to grievances, old ones,” he stated. “The government is now formed and we should get past any misgivings about the government and how it was formed.”
He added that there is competence in government and suggested persons should encourage and support the administration while holding it accountable.
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Transparency you say? Where is the list of registered interests?
Those envelopes that your brother was allegedly sharing out were not transparent
OK, how much are you paid to be a special envoy or whatever you are.?
What was your expense bill last year?
Apart from being the Premiers brother what qualifications do you have for the job?
Dd anyone else apply for or was considered for the job?
What interests do you have outside of your “ job “?
What have been your achievements so far?
People have no issues with transparency and accountability through modernized polices and laws, but they must be in the best interest of the people and the entire BVI Territory. Some of the COI recommendations are not addressing the needs of the people but look good on the books for the international community who do not follow those same rules. Putting new policies in place to look good but the people are not doing good is counterproductive. The balance and middle ground must be achieved. What is good for the people in the UK may not be good for the people in BVI and vice versa. The right balance must be sought and implemented.
According to Mr. Wheatley’s CV, his qualifications are:
In a diplomatic capacity served 3 NDP Administrations, 3 VIP Administrations and 1 Unity Government Administration
Member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies
Policy Fellow at the Centre for Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge
Former Vice Chair of the United Nations ECLAC Subsidiary Body the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee
Former Chair of the European Union/Overseas Countries and Territories Partnership Working Party on Financial Services
Former Chair of both the EU Overseas Countries and Territories Association and UK Overseas Territories Association
Former BVI London Office Director 2014-2018, Deputy Director 2013-2014 and Political Officer 2011-2013
Former Analyst at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
Commonwealth Study Conference Leader Alumnus
Master of Science Degree in Diplomacy and International Strategy from the London School of Economics and Political Science
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Morehouse College
For further information go to https://www.southampton.ac.uk/publicpolicy/support-for-policymakers/CSaP%20fellowships/Fellows/benito-wheatley.page
Any further questions?
A list of minor inconsequential academic qualifications does not entitle you to live off the taxpayer for the rest of your life.
Where is the transparency?
Is this True that District 8 had envelopes sharing out?
Rubber Duck I’m quite sure he’s not a child’s Toy.His credentials perhaps outshines his duties
Fubber Ruck it appears that your remarks are colored by a latent form of racism. Your view that no member of a minority group is competent enough to govern anywhere reflects a paternalistic and condescending attitude inherited from colonial forefathers. Regardless of one’s personal views of Benito, it is important to acknowledge his qualifications and humility, as evidenced by conversations with him.”
The new government do not need you to be going to every international event to talk about Irma for goodness sake. Lorna can take it from here. Looking redundant.
Registry of Interests: tell your brother to include the 2 houses he is building.
People ant handle the truth its transparency you are suggesting? Get real son.
You made me smile actually listing all your achievements on here. You and the Premier has something in common. You have to answer every doggone thing. From the looks of that list though, seems like we have the wrong Wheatley at the helm.
Everyday we have drama on social media.
Young people’s brains are something else. They seem to think that everybody believes what they see on social media when, in fact, we don’t. We just care about our country and want the best for our people. So you work and we have no problems. Talk less and work. I am going cold turkey from these local news sites. Tired….
Transparency? What are your terms of reference? I never saw it?