Premier concerned over sidelining locals on statutory boards
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed concern about excluding locals from serving on statutory boards.
Speaking in the House of Assembly (HOA) recently, the Premier said there were suggestions to lower the standards for board appointments, which he believes would send the wrong message about the capability of local people.
“We must be careful not to disqualify persons, but we also should not send the message that our people cannot meet high standards,” he cautioned.
The Premier emphasised the importance of staffing statutory boards with individuals capable of managing their responsibilities. He added that a mix of experience, professional qualifications, and character should be the deciding factors for board appointments, not just academic degrees.
He further highlighted that these boards are crucial for advancing governmental objectives and ensuring effective governance, but he emphasised the need for locals to be given adequate opportunities to serve.
Boards shouldn’t be fully independent of gov’t
Premier Wheatley explained that statutory boards are created by the government to fulfil specific purposes, often requiring agility and flexibility beyond the capabilities of central government. These boards are intended to manage various tasks, including handling business-like operations that demand a faster response than typical government procedures allow.
He underscored that while these boards are separate from central government, they should not be seen as entirely independent. He emphasised that board members must align with the government’s mandate.
“There may be a view that these boards should be independent of ministers,” Dr Wheatley stated while arguing that ministers need the ability to influence the direction of statutory bodies. He added, “Ministers are democratically elected… and heavily criticised when things don’t go right.”
The Premier further stressed the importance of selecting board members based on competence rather than political affiliations. He gave the example of Clyde Lettsome, the recently appointed chairman of the National Parks Trust Board, whom Dr Wheatley praised for his ability despite differences in political views. “We appointed him because we believe he could get the mandate of the government done,” the Premier said.
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It’s all locals or cronies to them. Stipends for the favorites.
So qualified persons with their good name and reputation should risk it for $1k a month, bring their wealth of experience, only to be told by a know-nothing who managed to garner 400 votes in a tiny area, what should and shouldn’t be done? This is what the Premier is saying. Why appoint a board who then cannot make decisions but rather must do so at the will of a Minister? Isn’t that counter-productive? Yes, the Minister can have a mandate, a vision etc. and want the board to carry that out, but they should not be involved unless something over and above is going on that has a negative impact on the vision outlined.
Why is this a concern to the premier? There isn’t too many qualified locals. The ones who are qualified will be a conflict die to preexisting duties or just a conflict of interest out right. Some of them are just not interested at all.
The ones who probably applied aren’t qualified and expect it to be given which is why I assume you’re ranting.
The boards were filled according to your liking before this major shake up. I don’t think following the same concept you wish will make the positive changes we are expecting.
We do not care who hold a position at this point. Our concern is the work is being done fairly and for the best interest of the country and our best interest seems to be the last on the list in the past.
Thats why BVI should only give certain position to locals …even though they iving abroad once qualify..besides a lot of locals are qualified. Expats needs to soon have a time frame to work in the BVI 7- 12Yrs from chating p**s!.
Most statutory boards have, in their legislation, requirements for board members to be appointed by ministers. Who sidelining who?
To those of you/us who are not in clear under standing of consequences. Then continue to little by little give up your INSTRUMENTS OF POWER, that you may deem insignificant.
One day we will wake up and find all non locals in those seats, and they will be dictating to and making laws to further sideline us from our boards and more. Then you/us will have less to hold on to.
Then we/us will ask,where did our power go. Voting has consequences of the kind that in our unique political situation, that can and will place us is a disavaantageos position. We/us had better wake yesterday!!!
“Ministers need the ability to influence the direction of statutory bodies.”
With all due respect Mr. Minister, you are wrong. inteference by Ministers in the affairs of stautory board is what contributed to our current situation. Social Security Board is a prime example when Foy was Premier.
“Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed concern about excluding locals from serving on statutory boards.” WTF! Why would locals be sidelined or excluded from serving on statutory boards? Is the governing structure limiting locals from serving on statutory boards? Who selects and appoints members to serve on statutory boards? At this juncture in our history
, should the BVI have not an embarrassment of riches in talent to choose from from to appoint to serve on statutory boards? Does the BVI have to many statutory bodies? How many statutory bodies are there in the BVI? Should some statutory bodies be departments? Should statutory bodies be self-supporting? Should statutory bodies be independent? Should members of statutory boards be compensated ( In other locales, service on boards are voluntary, a sense of civic duty)? If members of boards were not paid, would there be the same level of interest? Is membership to boards too political? If Virgin Islanders are sidelined from serving on boards in their homeland, where can they serve on boards? Are there there too much nepotism, cronyism, etc? How did the BVI get here in this state of flux?
Moreover, the ministerial system of government was ushered in 1967. And around the same time, the shift from subsistence agricultural economy to a service economy ( tourism and financial services) commenced. The transitioned to the new economy created a number of new jobs and job skills. However, to take advantage of the new jobs, required education and education. The fact that the BVI does not have enough people ( an abundance of riches) to staff boards may say the BVI failed in its effective training and education needs.
Agree with the Premier that statutory bodies should not be independent of a minister(s) purview. One cannot and should not be assign a responsibility, hog tie his/ her hands behind his/her back, but still hold him/ her responsible and accountable. Such a situation is as f/up as Hogan’s goat. Further, I take a different view from the Premier in his assertion that statutory bodies are needed fill the knowledge, skill and ability, experience, etc gap. No. Governments campaign that if elected they will run government effectively and efficiently. Governments have two means of getting work/ things done, viz, a) staffing up to do work in-house, and b) outsourcing the work. The work of statutory bodies is outsourcing and their recommendations are advisory. The elected officials still have the ultimate responsibility; responsibility cannot be delegated away. The Premier, the leader of government business and number #1 among equals has ultimate responsibility for what ministers do, and also
didn’t do but should have done.
Bush Professor, you seem to have diarrhea of mouth. Mehson, who has time to read this book. Man on a hustle mehson.
@Professor, you going deep asking some probing, relevant questions and professing. I like your take on government responsibility. They are elected and sworn in to govern, having the choice of doing things either in-house or outsourcing. Labeling statutory bodies as outsourcing is novel. Nevertheless, government , the Premier has the ultimate responsibility for getting things done.
There is a simple solution to the Statutory Bodies SNAFU. The minister is at the apex of the governing triangle, followed by the Board which sets operational policies , followed by CEO/COO which executes the policies developed by the Board . Since the Board is only paid a stipend and is part time, the day-to-day operations are executed by the CEO/COO. True, boards in some other locales are voluntary and therefore not paid. Serving on boards are often used stepping stone to elected office, preparing for other jobs, etc. Nonetheless, the culture in the VI is show me the money, so members of boards expect to get paid.
[Let’s lead as eagles, not careen off the cliff as buffaloes]
Bush Professor your approach to statutory bodies /statutory boards is novel and interesting and worth examining. The BVI embraces the ‘concept’ of statutory bodies but it has difficulties meeting and living by the spirit and intent of Ii.. The BVI may need to reexamined the statutory bodies processes to ascertain what things/processes may need to be statutory bodies . Here is a definition of statutory bodies:
“ A statutory body is an organization or institution that is established by law to implement legislation and make decisions on behalf of a country or state. Statutory bodies are often found in countries that have a parliamentary democracy, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand.
Statutory bodies have several characteristics, including:
Established by law
Statutory bodies are created by an act of parliament, which means their existence and powers are regulated by law.
Public function
Statutory bodies often have a public function, such as regulating industries or protecting the environment.
Authority to make rules
Statutory bodies may be empowered to set rules, such as regulations or statutory instruments, in their field.
Authority to check compliance
Statutory bodies may have the authority to check that businesses and organizations are following official rules and are legal. ”
What Dr. Hon Premier Natalio Wheatley, R7, MoF, etc ., laments about strikes in the heart of leadership. In talking about leadership, I will borrow from a friend, fellow blogger and school mate. Noted leadership is more about behavior/action than skills. What is written on a piece of paper may not be as important as day-to-day behavior/action. People see and take cues from behavior of leaders, ie, proper money management, civility rather than arrogance, ethical behavior, etc. Words put into action carry more weight than words in print, speeches given, etc.Actions matter more than words. A good leader has vision , sets the tone, and leads by example, has an effective style, ie, has a positive attitude, is energetic, is mentally tough, is reliable, etc) , coaches his /her team and can handle adversity, don’t depend on advocates to fight their battles, etc.
Furthermore, a leader must be experienced and experienced comes with time and moving through the ranks in positions of increasing responsibilities. Another blogger noted that education is not a substitute for strong and effective leadership and management.
Moreover, leadership and management are 2 halves of the same coin. Here is a news flash. One cannot be a strong leader without being an effective manager and vice versa.Success in one-half cannot compensate for failure(s) in the other half. An inspirational leader who cannot manage will accomplish little. Leadership is not hereditary.
The Premier waxed about locals being sidelined from statutory boards. But who creates statutory bodies and appoint members to staff to their boards???? Who allocates funding to effectively invest in education and training to meet local needs?? Perhaps some peeping into the mirror is needed. Are past behaviors and attitudes now playing a factor in the dearth of qualified people?
Yesterday, in listening to Ms. P( Eileen Parsons) , former educator, former legislator, cultural icon , delivering the eulogy for the late Elroy A. Turnbull noting that for some people to get into secondary school prior to 1968 took an act of God and a miracle. The Premier is in the position through action, not words, to ensure that as Bush Professor notes there is an abundance of riches to adequately staff statutory bodies with qualified locals, if we learned from the past.
To GateKeeper , a lesson in leadership. Think anyone is paying attention.
GateKeeper, the Frig…..here. You are damn useful frig. You have laid a leadership blueprint for leadership. Action leads words . Deep, deep, deep!
I understand your point but this really is all fine until a board has full autonomy to disenfranchise Virgin Islanders qualified or not.
Yes the government should not get involved in the day to day runnings but they must be able to step in when the board itself is not doing its job and on top of that putting the overall well being of Virgin Islanders at risk.
Just how we are quick to call politicians corrupt. You would be surprised how many people come here presenting themselves as this and that to the government and turn out to be the devil in disguise
I know of very qualified BVislanders who applied to be on boards and commissions but were quickly rejected by the Governor and his wicked disciples of Lucifer.Premier you are Knowledgeable of this but you did nothing.
Really ? This a concern Premier! At least having a mixed opinion on the boards and not all BVIslanders will keep from anyone being corrupted! All previous boards under the VIP government for the past 5 half years were corrupt ! You know it.
Now having BVIslanders and Expats on the boards will make sure that any decisions the boards make won’t be corrupted or leaked back to Government . Please … start thinking outside the box for 5 half years this VIP government have done nothing!! Nothing to show Virgin Islanders any progress. Nothing at all only spending money on trips travels . Drive your own car around the island see how our people are living go buy your own groceries and look at the final amount.
The population of a mixture of intermingle offsprings of loval and expatriate parents have no w outnumbered children of both local parents .
As much as some of us do not want to accept it it is the truth so here goes:
1. Local Parents after educating their children abroad or at home after a while they either stay where they are better paid or never return home ,
2, The older educated locals were more welcoming of expatriate but were upset when they were given a contract package .which they think was unfair . However, the older locals are retiring by the droves and is leaving a vacuum in the system
3. Those children born with one belonger or outside parents most often stay because they do not have a green catd . So obviously those folks are filling the gap . Natalio needs to study population movement before making those stupid statements and stop dividing the country . Changes and diversity will change the trend of a growing population. Dumb thinker
What happened to good old political corruption you can’t rely on anything these days.