New transparency act may discourage persons from serving on boards
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has suggested that persons may be deterred from serving on statutory boards with the introduction of the new Register of Interests (ROI) act.
Under the existing legislation, only members of the House of Assembly are required to declare their financial interests into the register. But the newly proposed ROA act now requires other groups such as statutory board members to do the same.
Premier Wheatley said these other groups may require a debate on whether it would be right for them to register their interests. He further said this is something that will have to be discussed as a community and among elected representatives.
“It (having to register their interests) may greatly discourage persons from wanting to serve on boards and you may not get the type of persons you want on the boards,“ Premier Wheatley said.
“We have to look at best practices elsewhere in the world and see what it is exactly we are trying to achieve,” he added.
In the meantime, the Premier highlighted the fact that there are many persons in the community that have been calling for certain types of information to be made public.
He further stated that he has had overwhelming feedback from the public that they want transparency in this particular manner.
He added that persons who are in particular areas of responsibility, especially those who are elected, are almost judged by a different standard as it pertains to transparency and integrity in public life.
Premier Wheatley joked that he knew some persons were happy just to have elected officials exposed in this way.
“There’s no particular reason why elected officials – if we believe that that’s the correct thing – would have to register interests and not have at least persons who are senior, senior public servants be able to register as well,“ he added,
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If you want to serve on and meaningfully contribute in a real way; then declaring your personal business interests wouldn’t deter folks! You guys just keep finding every damn excuse to delay, water-down and make issue with everything. Show some gonads and leadership – the tide has turned and all dubious characters need not apply.
What!? I have to show I’m not getting on the board to give myself government contracts? No thanks.
If there’s no chance for corruption and kickbacks, I don’t want it.
Rubbish!!!!
The Turks & Caicos indicated they are seeking to implement recommendations and improve how they put individuals on boards…
Well the act has served it’s purpose of people are discouraged. Need bold people who are transparent on these boards.
It might just be the other way around. You might get the right people but I can assure you that they would not allow their private information to be made public for a mere $800 or $1000 per month.
Therefore, this will certainly cost the government.
If you acquired your wealth legally and you are an honest person you should not have a problem…..we cant go on like we are now. It could also give us some regular not rich people who understand the struggle as well.
The people who would be opposed to this would be those who join the boards for personal gain or those who have something to hide. Those are the people we don’t want. IF the government revise the legislation to remove the inclusion of statutory board members from having to register their interests then it is a CLEAR message to the people that they continue to work for the small minority and not for the majority. They don’t want what is best for the BVI, but they want to get as much as they can from it for themselves and their friends and family.
Transparency is transparency!! Why do governments promise it to get elected and then do everything possible to NOT follow through? They must have a different dictionary.
If you don’t register then you don’t be in the position… Just so simple but the BVI has to put a spin and confusion on everything. They all know the right thing to do but NOBODY wants to do the right thing surely not for love of county… Only operate on the love of MONEY…
I thought Sow Wande and the Unified Ass-Clowns that usurped power were all about good governance. I believe that the bar should be as high as possible if you want to represent the ppl apply good governance principles. If this bunch is uncomfortable with the terms as they will now be scrutinized to a higher standard than what was there before, they should call for fresh elections as soon as possible. If they refuse than they need to get thrown out wedgie style by the brief or panty waist strap
Yes, it will deter corrupt people from serving on boards, which is exactly what we want. Next idea?
Good we need people that do not need to hide things. Honest people. This is a good thing. Maybe we get decent honourable people working for the good of the nation. Why the Premier hinting this is a bad thing?
As one can see the poor mentality is pervasive at the highest levels of Government but the medicine of transparency and good governance is the best bet for future gains my ppl. Bitter pills kill the worms and parasites.
If your integrity is up for negotiations, sale or compromise then join the boards, if not stay away.