Penn hopes COI report is catalyst for ‘proper stewardship’ of BVI’s resources
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn said he welcomes the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report recently handed over to Governor John Rankin by Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom.
The Opposition Leader said he believes that the report will lead to one of the most pivotal periods in the BVI’s history.
“I, therefore, welcome it along with its recommendations, anticipating that they will be for the advancement of our territory, and improve the quality of our public administration of good governance in the future,” Penn said in a recent statement.
Penn said he believed that good governance is the cornerstone of the confidence of the BVI’s people as they travel the challenging path toward self-determination.
According to the Opposition Leader, “without confidence in the honest, accountable [and] transparent administration of good governance, [the BVI] will forever be relegated to the quagmire of dependence.”
Penn shared that he was hopeful that the COI’s report and recommendations will be the catalyst in enabling the BVI to achieve the efficient and effective administration of its public affairs, the proper stewardship of its national resources and the creation and maintenance of its much-needed infrastructure.
Furthermore, he expressed hope that the report would also effectuate the provision of essential health care services; the effective management of our education system; and an adequate safety net for the most vulnerable in our territory will go a long way toward the maintenance of our peoples’ mental wellness and improved quality of life.
Penn, who is also the Eighth District Representative, said he was also hopeful that the COI’s report and recommendations will provide innovative implementation strategies for new and bold solutions that are needed for the territory’s modern challenges.
“Our public administrators must continually strive to implement actions for the common good and make certain that there is proper and effective utilisation of resources; we must stamp out all forms of corruption, potential immoral conduct and more importantly instil a sense of fairness and equity that will respect the voiceless and bring comfort to the less fortunate and most vulnerable in our community,” Penn said.
“I welcome the opportunity to work towards greater accountability and good governance and ensure transparent policies are implemented, thereby securing our country’s democracy for future generations,” he added.
Meanwhile, the 15-month long inquiry looked at issues of governance in the territory and sought to establish whether there was any evidence of corruption, abuse of office or other serious dishonesty that has taken place in public office in recent years.
In a statement released after receiving the report, Governor Rankin said he needed time to review its recommendations and promised to announce next steps about sharing its contents sometime shortly after the Easter holidays this weekend.
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I could not disagree with the leader of the opposition more than I will on his comments about the COI report. It is very silly as a leader of a country to welcome a report that started with ambiguity in its true intentions. Just like slavery, no consultation was necessary from the people of the BVI to activate a COI on our people. It is for reasons like these Marlon cannot be trusted to lead this country. His comments should get him a lot of brownie points in the UK but that’s about it. What he really needs is a Chris RockWill Smith moment. I see this guy as a visionless and power hungry sellout. I wonder what recommendation he has for the UK because they are far from perfect. Absurd!!!
You sound like a real fool! COI on our people? These people taking away from you and the rest of us. Making sure their pockets and supporters pockets are filled. Passing legislations while the rest of us sleeping. Bold and Blatant with the corruption! The only people doing us bad and treating us like slaves are our own! Our very own elected officials. You clearly have been benefiting from them taking office. If not you would not sit and make such stupid comment! Wheel and come again!
Your contribution is pointless and to even insinuate that the leader of the opposition needs a “Chris RockWill Smith moment” one the the most disturbing moments is recent TV history, speak volumes about your character.
Plenty and more than likely based on the responses and comments of We the People,Marlon’s comment reflects our sentiment.
We need a new breed of politicians who can take us to higher heights
Where you gonna get them from. The illiterate ones you produce in your education system? Perhaps C*C’s drug lord friends. Maybe the farmers that don’t farm. Maybe the fishermen that don’t fish. The Territory has capable “Whites” but your racist apartheid Territory does not allow them to participate. I think the COI will be changing that as well as the racist Belongership rules.
It is the sitting Premier who made the initial request for the COI to the Governor, when he was leader of the Opposition. He didn’t seek the opinion of the populace so how can you chastise Penn for supporting a report which the leader of majority party instigated?
We absolutely need a new breed of politicians, experienced and successful business managers, who can return the Territory to profitability, clean house at the ministries, and enforce proper customer service practices throughout the Civil Service; in other words return the Civil to the Service.
WE KNOW THAT TRADEMARK OF BLONDIE THE WIG – WHO ALWAYS EXPRESSING HIS TEMPER TANTRUMS EITHER WITH HIS ,( BROKEN NEWS , OR BLOGGING UNDER DIFFERENT NAMES ) WHEN THE COI REPORT COMES FORWARD , W THE PEOPLE WILL KNOW THE TRUTH ? , SO GO SND INSPECT YOUR OWN SELF FIRST .AMEN
Plenty and more than likely based on the responses and comments of We the People,Marlon’s comment reflects our sentiment.
Okkkk. A smart leader would not be welcoming the COI recommendations without seeing them. Hon. Penn made a poor statement which has consequences. I’m dumbstruck!!!!
I hope one of those 40 recommendations from the COI is term limits. Recycled Politicians after Recycled Politicians for years being comfortable and not productive is why BVI ?? is in this sad state. They feel only them have ideas to take island foward get out and give someone else a chance. Two consecutive terms and you can’t run or hold the seat again.They will never mention or bring that to the house as a referendum.
Thank you Marlon! I still waiting for that plane money that you and your leader squandered.
Oh SHUT UP with the plane talk! 7.2 million on a bad deal compared to 40 Million from our social security on bogus farmer’s and fishermen stimulus!!!!
Don’t get me started!
Thinking deeply and introspectively is not a gift. It must be developed.
This current bunch of elected officials have and are making us the laughing stoc of the world, esecially in the UK, whose hatred for Black people is only surpassed by their hatred for Black people.
The COI highlighted why the NDP and VIP are muppets and AssClowns that we stupidly kept voting for. Whether it’s the failed airline, the Great Wall or Stimulus payouts with no aim other than to give to friends and family. We in trouble
The COI is no different from forcing a people on a ship across the Atlantic. Unfortunately, there were some backstabbers in the village. This dealer of opposition strikes the same cord. His comments are poor and distasteful. The majority of you who like chaos keep rejoicing about the COI.
The main concern is that – will all the crooks who stole the peoples’ money be held accountable? In other words will justice be seen to be done? Will stolen monies be returned to government coffers to be spent on much needed improvements to the territory…
Seems like you must have benefited from ill gotten gains. Your comment might ear mark you for investigation…
The main concern is that – will all the crooks who stole the peoples’ money be held accountable? In other words will justice be seen to be done? Will stolen monies be returned to government coffers to be spent on much needed improvements to the territory…
Seems like you must have benefited from ill gotten gains. Your comment might ear mark you for investigation…