BVI News

Residents cooperative, identified issues for COI to place focus

Inquiry Commissioner, the Right Honourable Sir Gary Hickinbottom.

The Commissioner of Inquiry, Sir Gary Hickinbottom has deemed his first visit to the BVI “very productive”, adding that he received cooperative and constructive engagement from residents so far.

Both Sir Gary and the Secretary to the Commission, Steven Chandler have since departed the BVI following those series of one-and-one meetings with residents on sister islands on February 1.

A press statement from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) said the information it received so far has given the COI greater direction.

“This visit has been extremely useful in identifying the areas and issues on which the Commission will focus its initial attention. The Commissioner would like to thank all those he has met and heard from while he has been in the BVI. Although based in Tortola, he was pleased to be able to visit each of the three sister islands where he received an equally warm welcome,” the release said.  

The press release said when in the UK, the Commissioner and the Secretary are expected to consult with the recently appointed counsel to the Commission to consider the initial wave of information the Commission has received. 

Based on those consultations, the Commissioner will then decide how best, and from whom, to seek further information.

Expected return

According to the release, the COI team intends to return to the BVI before Easter. The proposed oral hearings will take place in the territory after Easter and will be concluded no later than the end of May. 

“Timings are, of course, dependent on the impact of COVID travel restrictions. Through press statements and the website, the Commission will keep the people of the BVI updated as to progress and any change in timings that might be necessary,” the press statement read.

Possible Virtual meetings with residents

While the Commissioner is in the UK, persons wishing to submit additional information are being asked to contact the secretary who will be able to arrange a remote meeting via WhatsApp, for example. 

In any event, the Commissioner encourages anyone who has information that might assist the Inquiry to share it along with and any written material via the official COI website.

The COI was announced on January 18, 2021, to look into whether corruption, abuse of office or other serious political impropriety may have taken place amongst the public, elected and statutory officials in recent years. 

Follow BVI New’s coverage of the 2021 Commission of Inquiry on Instagram @BVINewsOnline #TrackingTransparency at www.bvinews.com.

 

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14 Comments

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  1. Hmmm says:

    Good going my people, lets show them this corruption is just a small percentage of us at the top and not our culture through and through!!

    Like 26
    Dislike 3
  2. Common sense says:

    How many residents could they have honestly spoken to in such a short time? This doesn’t make much sense to me.

    Like 11
    Dislike 12
    • Demons says:

      Long list of cooperative residents?
      Cindy
      Marlon

      Like 8
      Dislike 11
    • @common sense says:

      If you factor in breaks and weekends, and assume that most meetings are at most an hour (that’s the extreme) and include a bias against the amount of people they could possibly meet in a day…

      you’d still get about 100-150 folks, give or take. and that’s a conservative estimate.

      and before you ask, it’s math. I used math.

      Like 7
      Dislike 1
    • @ Common Sense says:

      Did you miss the part where Gus said how many people came to his office with information? Keep thinking this is some petty game.

      Like 14
      Dislike 2
    • @common sense says:

      Get your head out of the green clouds. the common sense is they spoke to persons involved in the matters of interest. They aren’t walking around speaking to everyone on the street.

  3. awa says:

    VIP NDP JUDGMENT DAY IS COMING SOON.

    Like 19
    Dislike 2
  4. PT9 says:

    @Common sense They are only confirming what they already know.

    Like 15
  5. Laura says:

    You can submit your grievances via email as many have done! The 1 hr sessions were only a formality!

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  6. Anonymous says:

    Hickingbottom and his colleagues had the biggest laugh when they heard tales of the all powerful mamacita giving the Premier special powers. He knew all that he needed to know and exited the BVI rapidly.

  7. COOKIE JAR THEY WANT UNINERUPTED ACCESS TO THE COOKIE JAR!BRITIAN KEEPS THEM BLOCKED.... CLEAR says:

    THEY COULD BRING ALL THE ADMINISTRATIONS DOWN JUST ANALYSISING THE BVI PORT AUTHORITY, THEY ALL GO THERE FOR THEIR FAVOURS, NOME OF THEM LIKE TO PAY IMPORT DUTY OR WHARFAGE… AND DONT EVEN ASK THEM TO CONSIDER PAYING STORAGE… ASK THE NEW BMW OWNER…

    Like 11
  8. Up to now.... says:

    … allegedly aint pay no duty for courage and the customs not even trying to collect it.

  9. COI says:

    Cleaning another man house when your house is filthier tha his.

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