BVI News

Public urged to hold Gov’t accountable

Governor John Rankin has stated that the public should continue holding his office and elected members accountable as efforts are being made to implement good governance practices in the BVI.

To do this, the Governor said the public must continue to demand answers from members of the government.

“As members of the public, you can legitimately ask me questions: ‘Why isn’t this happening Governor, what are you doing to resolve these issues?'” Governor Rankin explained on a recent airing of the Talking Points radio show.

“But just as you can do that with me and my office so [too] can you do it with the government as a whole and individual ministries — calling people to account, asking if there have been delays in particular areas,” Governor Rankin expressed.

He added that the rigorous process of change the BVI is undergoing is necessary although recent audits and reports have revealed “uncomfortable findings”.

“We’ve got to go through this process — difficult though it may be — and I very much believe we can come out in a better place on the road to self-governance,” the Governor said.

Governor Rankin has been working with elected representatives to implement several good governance changes the COI recommended for the BVI. However, he has called out elected representatives for missing multiple reform deadlines.

The Governor has also repeatedly cautioned elected representatives that the recommendations must be made promptly to prevent the UK from invoking the feared Order in Council which threatens to take power away from locals.

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10 Comments

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  1. Resident says:

    how can we do that, we have no option to recall elected ministers who are clearly not performing before their 4 year terms are up

    Like 9
    Dislike 2
  2. AYO GOIN SEE ACTION says:

    THIS IS THE STRONGEST OPPOSITION THAT WE EVER ASSEMBLED IN BVI HISTORY

    Like 4
    Dislike 3
  3. Rubber Duck says:

    OK Rankin, make them complete the register of interests and make it public.

    If you have the cojones. Which I doubt.

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  4. Here we go again says:

    The Governor is diplomatically sowing seeds of discord and falsehood to aid his mission. Everyone knows how to hold the Government and all elected officials accountable. In addition, there are systems in place to assist. However, there is no way or no system in place to hold the Governor & all his UK staff working locally with him accountable. They have exempted themselves from the register of interest. The Governor is over the police so he will never look into himself. His post is not one elected so he serves at the pleasure of the UK & not the people of the BVI. There needs to be a fair balance in the way you can hold a Governor & elected officials accountable.

    Like 3
    Dislike 7
  5. Des says:

    Here’s a question – why are cars and bikes allowed to speed especially in Road Town? Its supposed to be 20 miles per hour. The worst road to cross is Waterfront Drive – the drivers don’t stop at the crossings and one day someone going to get killed. Why can’t we have speed bumps in town?

    Like 3
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  6. Big Richard says:

    If one is not a big name belonger we don’t exist

  7. HonestTruth says:

    Can we hold EVERY government to account? How about holding government account for destroying the moral Christian fabric of society? I noticed the new King of the realm swore an oath to uphold and protect the Protestant Faith and Church, but the government seem to be running on an agenda that runs contrary to the King’s oath. Explain that one Mr. Governor, please Sir.

    Like 1
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  8. Jah Know says:

    We want to know how much Govt was paying the Pastor for HOA down at Save the Seed!!! Why that isn’t public as yet???

    Like 3
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  9. @Here we go again says:

    How do we hold them accountable? I haven’t seen any minister being held accountable yet so please explain how it’s done. If I see a minister overspend on a bathroom, how do I hold him accountable? If he gives his friends contracts, how to hold him accountable? What exactly can I do that will affect him or her? Can I launch a Recall process?

  10. Rex FeRaL says:

    The Governor cannot handle being accountable. So please don’t ask others to do so.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1

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