Premier denies delaying COI reviews
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has denied that his government was responsible for the months-long delays in publicising several reviews emanating from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report.
Dr Wheatley suggested that the delays in bringing the reports on those reviews to the House of Assembly (HOA) were related to corrections requested by public servants.
Governor Rankin, while threatening recently to publish the reports if this was not done by the government, had explained that some reviews were received as far back as December last year and in January of this year.
“Some of these reviews had things that some of the public servants who were there, thought needed to be corrected before it went out… So, it’s really not fair to make it seem as though we were seeking to delay the publication of these reports,” the premier explained on the VIP Let’s Talk radio programme yesterday, April 18.
He noted that both himself and the governor had been calling for those corrections to be made for some time, and said he had also made calls for the reports to be sent to Cabinet and brought before the HOA.
“So, it’s very misleading to make it seem like we did not want the people to see these reports,” he added. “So, unfortunately the House of Assembly had dissolved before we had the opportunity to lay them on the table of the House of Assembly and it was certainly misleading.”
Democratic process
According to Dr Wheatley, when his Government of National Unity was able to stave off the suspension of the territory’s constitution, it did so with the intent of allowing residents greater participation in the democratic process.
“We did not sign on just to implement recommendations and shove them down the throats of the people of the Virgin Islands. They had to be a part of the process,” Premier Wheatley said.
Dr Wheatley explained that, following the submission of those reviews, there had been tripartite meetings involving the Deputy Governor, Permanent Secretaries, Financial Secretary, ministers of government, Cabinet Secretary, and others on how the reports will be addressed. The premier also related that there had been a consensus from those meetings that the reports will be laid in the HOA and argued that he was not in favour of publishing the reports without them being brought to the House, as the governor had threatened.
He argued that the reports also needed to go to the HOA before they were made public and said they needed to be debated by lawmakers.
“It’s not just a matter of publishing them and saying you publish them,” Premier Wheatley said. “It’s important when you lay these reports on the table to have the opportunity to debate them with the people of the House of Assembly.”
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WE GETTING RID OF HIM STARTING TOMORROW AT THE POLLS
I think you’ll find it’s the public who will want to shove the reports down the throats of the HOA members IF WE EVER GET To SEE THEM ALL!
The mission is now as clear as ever and it is to ensure that the VIP does not have even the slightest chance or forming or influencing the shape of the next administration. People, it is time to put the country first and it means an outright rejection of the VIP. Look back at the last four years and what has transpired. Look at the state of the country. Look at the characters who are still around and still influential – the former Premier, the virago from the yellow site, and joining the cast of irreputables, the candidate from the 8th convicted of theft from Government – as confirmed by the Privy Council on appeal – when he was the Financial Secretary. Simply extraordinary. Count your missing pension dollars from the SSB and find them in a ‘farmer’ or ‘fisherman’s new ride or new clothes or new furniture. The 688 and the extraordinary and potentially destabilising recall of the House casting a shadow on the elections. The VIP have learned nothing from our experience with the COI and either do not care or disrespectfully, think the voters are stupid. It is time for change and it is time for country. They continue to lie and undermine the integrity of our innate ability to self-govern and pose a real risk of triggering UK direct rule. It is time for BVI. And there are no innocents. The ‘new’ people have intentionally joined a band of bandits, why? What have they said to us that justifies or explains this? Nothing. Where is their denouncement of the wrongs? They are no better. Vote in a way that rejects the VIP. Vote against them in your districts. Vote at large for people who in your heart of hearts you feel can win. For those of you who pray and believe, ask for God’s guidance for every voter to sift with discernment through the confusion of the million at large candidates and vote for people who will squeeze out the VIP. This is serious and as public enemy number one, the VIP must be defeated. It is time for country. ✊?BVI!✊?BVI!✊?BVI!
@PSA those words came directly from your heart. A d it must in some way touch every tolan that have a heart. These are the kind of words that needs to be said from our political platforms. Kill the snake, the snake must die, whether it is crawling on its guts from Miami or right here in tola. I don’t think they deserve one seat. To be considered they must change the name of the party. Whenever you see the word VIP it should make you want to vomit.
We read you loud and clear s**w man. It is a other mistake.
Natalio Wheatley no one can believe a word you say.
You bloggers sickening. NDP Minister Myron Walwyn been arrested and charged for corruption for the high school wall. NDP give away $7.2 million for planes that never flew. They take away the $8 million for sewerage in East End/Long Look to leave people walking in filth. They had plan to destroy the environment Beef Island with a golf course. They put in place a NHI that is failing. They love white people bad. NDP no better than VIP.
I got you, but you need to check to see how much of that $8M was paid back to Government for the sewerage project. Hon. Penn mentioned it the other night, but some of us are only listening to one side. I am trying to listen to all.
I am so happy you mentioned that because persons always stop at how much was taken and do not say how much was given back….
Fat Albert’s puppet.
Hopefully they’re gone on Tuesday
@NDP no better than VIP, VIP worse than the NDP they have a man on their ticket who served time in prison.
For the last 4nyrs VIP was busy doing harm to many families. Good for 1000 and bad to 10,000. Do the maths and get the results.
Why have VIP failed to release the results of the survey that they commissioned earlier this year. Things really not looking good for this team so you shubb it under a rock.
You folks really believe VIP will win 1 at large, check again. God above man this time around.
Bye Bye VIP, you will not be on our back anymore.
For thiefin from the Government when he was FS. Talk about setting puss to watch cheese. SMDH
How the hell any voter could believe mistakes were made when alyo stated plainly before alyo got elected that,others stole and ripped off the goverment so alyo going in to do the same, so shut yo mouth. Indeed, how can voters trust this government from top down after such statements? Impossible. Not every voter knows about such statement, but i . t was put out there, some read it, and some know. VIP HAS LOST ALL CREDIBILITY.
I think the VIP has lowered the standards of Politics in the Virgin Islands. The Premier is the one who decided for the HOA to be dissolved for an April Elections which could have been called in May, knowing full well that there were reports to be taken to Cabinet and to the House. It just shows that having Doctorate or 96 degrees should not be the only qualification for being an Elected Official. Most Legislators speak about having Integrity but day in and day out most of their Integrity is in question. Oh how I wish Politicians would stop taking the Electorates for Fools. It seems like Lying is an IN thing every Election Season. I really wish Elections were postponed and allow for a clean-up or a take over.
Send them packing on Monday!
You can tell when he is l**ng; his lips move.
Gov Rankin just release them. PLEASE