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Several reform reviewers report difficulty accessing documents

Governor John Rankin.

Investigators appointed to review various areas of policy and governance under the recommended Commission of Inquiry (COI) reforms have reported difficulty accessing documents to conduct their duties.

This is according Governor John Rankin who gave that indication this week in his first quarterly review of the ‘Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and Other Reforms’.

The document indicates that multiple reviewers/investigators have been appointed. They include Anthea Smith who was appointed to review discretionary powers of public officials, Fikile Dlamini to review of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Denniston Fraser who was appointed to review the practice of House of Assembly members contracting with government, Jamal Smith and Sheila Brathwaite to review and investigate statutory boards, and David Abednego to perform a wholesale review of the process for the disposal of Crown Land.

These persons leading reviews, investigations and audits arising from the COI report recommendations are required to submit written quarterly reports to the Governor. This will include an evaluation of progress made and the level of cooperation encountered.

However, Governor Rankin said in his review that “in some cases, the start of work by reviewers was delayed due to delays in their appointment and/or because of lack of administrative support, including provision of documents”. 

“It is essential that all reviewers receive the necessary support and cooperation. I trust that with the establishment of the Implementation Unit, and full cooperation from ministers and the public service, the reviewers will from now on receive the support necessary to complete their work. I will continue to monitor closely progress in this regard,” Rankin stated.

Several concerned! Action will be taken against wilful blockers

In the meantime, the governor indicated that he stands ready to ‘take action’ against any public officer who is found to be wilfully frustrating the process.

“While it would not be appropriate to go into detail on matters related to the investigations, audits and reviews are which ongoing, I can state that, from the quarterly reports received, in general there has been a satisfactory level of cooperation. However, I note with concern that several reviewers and investigators have reported difficulty accessing relevant documents from the public service.”

Rankin said he has asked Deputy Governor David Archer Jr to remind public servants of the need to prioritise cooperation with COI implementation. 

“If there is evidence that access is being deliberately blocked, action will be taken in respect of the relevant officers. I trust that this will no longer be a concern by the time of my next quarterly review.”

This, Rankin’s first quarterly review, has been sent to ministers in the UK for consideration. He promised to hold a press conference once he receives their response.

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13 Comments

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  1. Big Richard says:

    Documents? We don’t keep no documents here in the BVI that would be stupid

    Like 11
    Dislike 1
  2. Transparency says:

    in the civil service often means invisible. The sought after documents exist somewhere but no body can see or read them.

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  3. Resident says:

    Well fancy that? What possible reason cold there be?

    Like 10
  4. Hmm says:

    Just games been played on the people with nonsense. If you all want documents get a warrant and get them. Just alot of hot air on both sides.

    Like 1
    Dislike 4
  5. And also... says:

    Patsy said we should shred them…

  6. YES TO UK says:

    The governor need too shut this government down.

    Like 4
    Dislike 1
  7. @ hmm ? says:

    unless they got something to hide , those documents / should be always available upon request / it’s not personal property , it’s government’s property property , and we want TRANSPARENCY ,/ the lack of it is why nwe are in this PREDICAMENT in the first place DUH

  8. In short, rather long says:

    The territory lacks human capital sufficiently of quality to operate the most basic things in its government. Or and hopefully or, there are people of competence in the population and the government is just stacked full of idiots who have had no training and been put in their position out of the great Bvi tradition of nepotism. The Bvi would be far better in terms of quality of life and wealth if you just let the British run it because there’s such a power ego game on a little island society you’ll probably just ruin your world in search of greed and power , Ruined beyond the ruination we currently sitting and a rapidly imperiled United Kingdom is not gonna have the resources to bail we fools so take what you can now if they offer. With the exception of Singapore and maybe Saint Lucia nearly every former colony especially small islands in the Caribbean are sh— holes and horribly run with brain drain so what do you expect to change by electing more self service politrixters who don’t understand democracy and what it means to work for the betterment of all. UK brought the world the Magna Carta the Bvi brought the world coach Andy.

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  9. Rubber Duck says:

    indeed, known as the Patsy storage system.

  10. Bingo says:

    If the documents are not forthcoming make it a criminal offense. Start slapping fines!

  11. No surpirse says:

    To In short, rather long: I agree but would posit that govt. does not lack human capital. An efficiency study conducted some 10 years ago indicated in its exectuive summary that there is a 33% excess of staff to conduct stated govt functions (per executive report. Final report was never made available to the public). On that basis, there is enough human capital. What is lacking are govt. employees with a sense of ethics and responsibility, particularly since it’s not too difficult to see that their leadership use their position for personal gain. That is also why there is recalcitrance in producing documents, assuming they have not been shredded. Ironic in a land where you’d get a receipt for gettimg a receipt.

  12. LISTEN says:

    Who can believe a Governor who said he knew nothing about the former Premiere’s arrest and months later in UK interview admits that he did. L**R, L**R.
    People of the Virgin Islands this is a systematic plot to totally enforce what is already happening. UK rule and no elections.

  13. Hmm says:

    Bottom line is nothing will be reformed around here unless it’s by force. It’s sad but that’s the reality.

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