Premier confident ahead of OT Minister’s visit
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has voiced optimism ahead of today’s visit from UK Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty, viewing it as a crucial opportunity to discuss issues like governance reform, climate resilience, and the UK-imposed Order in Council.
In a recent ZBVI interview, Premier Wheatley underscored the importance of the discussions, expressing hope that the UK will lift the Order in Council, established to ensure the BVI’s compliance with governance reforms following the 2021 Commission of Inquiry (COI). “We are pushing hard for the Order in Council to be lifted,” he said, citing numerous reforms implemented by the BVI government as evidence of its commitment to good governance.
While he remains confident that the BVI’s recent achievements will be acknowledged, Dr. Wheatley acknowledged the ultimate decision lies with the UK government. “We believe that we’ve done what is required to show our commitment,” he stated, calling the Order in Council “a colonial tool” that he feels is outdated in a modern UK-BVI partnership.
In addition to governance, climate resilience and environmental recovery are also high on the agenda. The BVI, still recovering from past hurricanes, has been enhancing its climate resilience with UK support. “We want to share the progress on climate resilience we are building in the BVI,” Wheatley noted, adding that the UK’s support in preserving the territory’s biodiversity is valuable.
The Premier clarified that a public meeting with the UK Minister won’t be possible due to time constraints, but he assured that representatives from civic society and community groups will have opportunities to engage with Minister Doughty on pressing local issues.
Reflecting on the visit, Premier Wheatley remained hopeful. “I’m confident that we’ve done a good job and enough that [the Order] should be lifted. I’m hopeful they will see what we see,” he said. He added that the Minister’s response will signal whether the UK is open to a “modern partnership” with the BVI or intends to maintain a “colonial relationship.”
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I keep on hoping I will wake up to find this whole elected leadership of the BVI is just a bad dream – but, when I do, I realize the joke is on us the BVI people.
Every time this premier opens his mouth it’s like broken glass being scraped down a chalk board.
Never have a known a time where every level of Government was so feckless – Governor, Premier, Cabinet, Opposition, Police Fire, Health, Education, PWD, BVIEC, Immigration, Customs, …………………..
the Order in Council will be lifted. More likely it will be enforced now after 2.5 years of lame legislation, deteriorating infrastructure and constant expensive concerts with no audience.
After the OT minister drives on the roads from the airport, through the running sewage in East End, to the Administration building, still incomplete seven years after Irma, he’s going to see how well Sl*man and his cronies are running this place.
It will be lifted and the Government will be able to move on with its work.
UK now !
Everytime sowandie yapping about colonial this and that, and he flying with speed first class wherever the colonials call him to whisper secrets in his ears, he even using that colonial Westminster parliamentary system to keep the no confidence vote out of parliament, but by the way it’s Myron that has the real fire under them foot, during opposition radio briefing one called Fraser shout out how he so love sowandie, and Marlon penn betray the people for a trip to Australia to see the kangaroos and a promised position, it’s a joke because Ronnie like he talking in his corporate office so his employees have to listen so he talking down his throat instead of shouting to get the people attention that the opposition serious.