Public Service inadequacies can’t be blamed on Governor — Rankin
Governor John Rankin has said he does not believe the blame for the inadequacies found within the public service can be laid at the feet of the Governor’s Office.
In a press conference held earlier today, a member of the media asked Rankin why past and present governors have seemingly been absolved of any responsibilities for the shortcomings of the BVI’s public service, despite the Governor’s Office being responsible for the sector.
In his response, Governor Rankin said this was something Sir Gary Hickinbottom examined in his Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, and he supports the conclusion the Commissioner reached.
“The Commissioner clearly examined the issue in his report and in the hearings. One of the claims that were made was the failures in government were primarily the responsibility of the public service rather than the then elected government. And if you look at the report, you would see the examination of that point and the Commissioner has concluded and I have stated in my evidence before the commission. I did not believe that any inadequacies — it might be argued for within the public service — are sufficient justification for the failures of governors which are contained in the territory,” Rankin said.
“I believe that the conclusion reflected in the Commissioner’s report is accurate. But of course, where there have been wrongdoings and failures, then I do accept responsibility for that. As we know, there have been some bad apples in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, and I am determined to support the Police Commissioners in rooting out those rotten apples and ensuring we have a police force which lives up to the highest standard as I believe all agencies should do,” the Governor continued.
Rankin has also explained the constitutional responsibilities of the Governor which includes the responsibility for law enforcement and independent institutions in the territory.
“The Governor is responsible for the security of the territory and in particular policing. Secondly, the governor is responsible for external relations other than relations with regional organisations which are left to the elected government here. Thirdly, the governor working with the deputy governor has responsibility for the public service in particular the terms and conditions of the public service and the governor has responsibility for the independent institutions under the constitution,” Rankin said.
“The Courts, the Auditor General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Public Service Commission. Those independent bodies provide the checks and balances in any democratic system and my key job as governor is to carry out those jobs under the constitution and I will continue to do that. So long as I remain in office, and I am sure my successors will also. Those are my key roles which my predecessors have served, and I will continue to serve,” the Governor explained.
The issue of the Governor’s responsibility for the failings of the public service – as highlighted by the COI – has been a major concern for many residents.
When the report was initially published and the threat of direct UK rule loomed over the BVI, many residents questioned why the Governor was not being held accountable for the shortcomings in law enforcement and the independent bodies for which he holds responsibility.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
I have always felt that government needs to be managed like private businesses. Department heads of successful companies meet and discuss daily events everyday. I also feel that the governor and those before him have contributed through negligence. As the Head of Government, he has oversight of the civil service and should insist that all matters that falls within his Office must be ventilated or shared with him weekly. If His office needs enlarging to cover such activities, expand it and be on top of things. Locally it is said, the Governors come here on two years preretirement leave, if that is not contractual disprove the saying and function within the Constitution for the benefit of the Territory.
In other words, blame the Deputy Governor..
is he throwing bowtie under the bus?
So wait, you are in charge of the civil service but the inadequacies cannot be blamed on you? Don’t make me last this afternoon Governor. So, the inadequacies must be blamed on the local ministers who they do not report to. Wow!
WHEN YOU COME TO THINK OF IT , HE’S LIKE THE SILENT PASTOR OF CANE GARDEN BAY WHO ONLY COMES OUT AT CHRISTMAS IN BLACK AND RED • CGB SEEMS TO HAVE PRODUCED 3 PRETENDERS WHO CALL THEMSELVES ( HOLY ) MEN OF ❓ ?
This man take black people for fools. You want to suspend the constitution because 13 members of government failed but you have control of a few hundreds who perform poorly and some who along with Fahie is in a Miami jail but you take no responsibility. Police officers found with record breaking amount of cocaine that’s not your responsibility. Prison guards allowing cellphones and committing crimes on the job not your responsibility. You sit as a watchman in every cabinet meeting while everything goes on not your responsibility. When a team fails the coach gets fired. Companies fail, the manager is fired. You sir accept no responsibility because you are only here for your all expense paid vacation to the islands with emerald green waters. Go and help Boris fix the UK and leave us do bad by ourselves because you are certainly not helping.
IMHO, the inadequacies of BVI’s public service are entirely self-inflicted. These services employ Belongers, they are headed by Belongers, working at the direction of a Belonger elected government, consisting of Belongers, many of whom seem to work without much or a moral compass or sense of ethics or even diligence. But go ahead, blame someone else for the problems. It’s what we do here. In that case, why stop at the governor. The titular head of the British Virgin Islands is the Queen, is it not? Why not blamer her? Or, you could blame UK voters for electing the UK government behind the CoI
Every department needs a clear KPI. Every Department needs to be publicly evaluated on an annual basis. They work for us. We only want the best. No more narcos! No more incompetents!
From 1980 to 2022 the size of the civil service increased tenfold from several hundred to now over 3000 persons During those 40+ years the Legislative Council and HOA regularly restricted funding to the Guv’s office to inhibit its growth and control of the civil service. Eventually Gov. Duncan used the security provisions of the constitution to bypass the HOA and obtain adequate funds for the security of the BVI. So it seems that all the elected members since 1980 are really the persons to blame for the inadequacies of the civil service today and NOT the Governor.
We will continue to have a problem for as long as the people remain under the spell of Christianity. It is a brainwash that makes people useless and stupid. The pastors and preachers are in it for the money and so are many businesses including some media houses. It is time to explain the truth about this mental conditioning which has been used to keep the world in bondage. Horus rising is the sun coming over the horizon ( ho rising) at mid day it becomes the Most High and in the evening Set. Life is a battle between Horus and Set where Horus is victorious in the morning and Set conquers every evening. It simply refers to the rising and setting of the SUN. Lucifer and Jesus both refer to the SUN. Lucifer is the Sun of the Morning. In the book of Revelations Jesus is referred to as the Bright and Morning Star. If you were to listen to a Roman Catholic Mass in Latin you would hear them constantly calling on the name Lucifer. This is because Lucifer and Jesus are the same not person but phenomenon. Christianity was adapted from the religion of Kemet and until it is demystified and presented in truth the world will continue to suffer under the spell of darkness. It should be obvious that this is at the root of our problems locally but the love of money has us blinded. I feel so sorry for Andrew poor fellow. The sad part is that there are so many like him totally clueless and vulnerable. If there is any love in our hearts we need to acknowledge the truth and do what is right. Time is running out.
If BVI people couldn’t see anything they will see now. The COI blames everything wrong on the local leaders. Everything. Even things that they are not responsible for. Here now you have a governor who is in full control of the civil service but takes no responsibility for the inadequacies in the service. This tells me that nothing will improve in the country. This COI was for another reason and not to fix our systems. Because we all know the civil service sucks. We know it! We know it! Yet because it falls under the governor they get no blame for anything and the inadequacies that exist in the service should be blamed on the person responsible overall for the service. Amazing!
We know our civil service sucks you say but evidence shows we don’t want to do anything about it. What does thar say about us. And, while the governor may be the so-called titular head to whom public service answers to, just how much do you think these services would listen let alone act. Just look at all the pushback from the CoI report.
Oh, please! Spare anyone with a working brain. The claptrap , nonsense of’ Colonial, this, Colonial that. Nothing, but ridiculous straw man argument. Oh, look. It’s a squirrel.
England is a fool for not imposing direct rule on its own territory. It is time England integrate ALL UKOT the same way France integrates all of its FOT.
The BVI is a corrupt cesspool. The corruption is nothing new. The cheek of the BVI government to claim. They can implement new changes. ROTFL!
Over 60 years supposedly new changes are to occur but Same ole sh!t different day.
Rampant rapes of adult men sexual relationships with underage minors, high rates of pregnancies of minors impregnated by adult men, drugs that built many houses on that island.
Many times the drugs washes up on the beaches from the homemade submarines, theft, BVI employees stealing from many companies whilst on the clock. The list is endless. Time for Westminster to take full control. It is England constitutional duty . Drain the bloody swamp.