Premier ‘encouraged’ at COI implementation rate

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed optimism regarding the progress of implementing the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (COI). 

During a recent press conference, Dr Wheatley provided a detailed update on the status of these efforts, emphasising the collaborative work between the government and the Governor’s office.

The COI recommendations stem from a comprehensive investigation into governance and administrative practices in the BVI, which aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust. 

As of now, 37 of the 50 recommendations have been completed, with the remaining 13 in progress.“Work on 50 of the fifty framework recommendations has begun. As of 18 July 2024, 37 recommendations have been completed, and 13 recommendations are in progress,” Dr Wheatley said.

The Premier addressed concerns about the pace of implementation and the August 31, 2024, deadline. He reassured the public that both the House of Assembly and the Cabinet are working diligently to meet this target. “The workload is quite heavy and demanding with both Cabinet and the House of Assembly meeting as often as necessary, almost daily, to implement the recommendations by the 31 August 2024 deadline,” Dr Wheatley affirmed.

A significant part of the implementation involves legislative changes, which have been moving steadily through the House of Assembly. The Crown Land Management Bill 2024 and the Public Assistance Amendment Act 2024 have already been passed. The Premier highlighted that this legislative progress is crucial for institutionalising the COI recommendations and ensuring long-term governance reform.

Dr Wheatley acknowledged the challenges faced during this process, particularly the need for extensive consultations and the complexity of the recommendations. He noted that some recommendations required going beyond the original scope to address longstanding governance issues. “In some cases, we have had to go beyond the scope of the COI recommendations to achieve the level of governance necessary to correct decades of governance issues not addressed,” he related.

To enhance public awareness and engagement, the BVI government launched a dedicated website (www.vicoiimplementation.vg) where residents can track the progress of the COI implementation in real-time, access draft legislation, and provide feedback. This initiative aims to foster greater transparency and public participation in the reform process.

Kedrick Malone was appointed Governance Reform Delivery Manager to oversee the COI implementation. This role aims to streamline the process and ensure well-coordinated efforts between various governmental bodies.