Some lawmakers want less public life integrity – Governor
Governor John Rankin has suggested that some lawmakers in the territory would prefer to be held to lower standards of accountability in the face of their refusal to enforce important legislation and good governance policies.
According to Governor Rankin, several important pieces of legislation and good governance policies, which are long overdue, are still lagging behind deadlines that were agreed between the BVI and UK governments.
He said this included an amended Register of Interest Act, a new education grants policy, a policy setting out the principles of how statutory boards should operate, a new Public Service Management Act, revised criminal procedure rules and improvements to the way the discretionary powers of ministers are exercised.
The governor noted that there was also the need for a strengthened Integrity in Public Life Act and a functioning Whistleblower Act. “None of these has yet been achieved. But without such reforms, the better governance which the people of the BVI need and deserve will not be achieved,” the governor stated.
Concerning the Integrity in Public Life Act, the governor noted that there is a code of conduct that is devoid of any penalty for any breach of the code by lawmakers and other public officials. “The Integrity Commissioner doesn’t have the power to impose a penalty for a breach,” Governor Rankin stated.
He added: “I am informed that rather than supporting the strengthening of the Integrity in Public Life Act, there are some members of the House of Assembly who would actually like to weaken the Integrity in Public Life Act. And for goodness sake, if there is surely one lesson to be learned from the Commission of Inquiry report, is that we need effective integrity in public life legislation.”
Meanwhile, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley suggested that the governor’s claims may have been blown out of proportion and pointed out that the government was ready to appoint Commissioners for the Integrity in Public Life Act.
“Let me just say, as it pertains to integrity in public life, we passed the Integrity in Public Life [Act] some time ago, and to tell the whole truth and in all transparency, it is the governor and the Governor’s Office who have suggested that we have to make further changes to Integrity in Public Life,” the Premier said.
Premier Wheatley said this is part of the reason that the legislation can’t come into force since the governor proposed for lawmakers to return to the House of Assembly and make amendments to what was already done.
“I’m happy for Integrity in Public Life to be brought in force … We have money in the budget to be able to hire a Commissioner. Yes, it has been assented to. It just has to be brought into force and we have to hire persons,” Dr Wheatley added.
Governor Rankin recently sought additional powers from the United Kingdom, which he said would help to improve the pace of implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) good governance recommendations.
The governor argued that there has not been sufficient drive and determination across the various ministries and department to deliver on the agreed-upon COI deadlines.
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I see this Governor bending over backwards to work with the Govt. But they are so ungrateful and think they deserving and can do as they wish and no one dear to correct them..The Governor gave them multiple extensions inspite of their flimsy excises for their failure. The Gov. Play with them so much now they are taking him for granted and seeing him as weak..For Hickingbottom the constitution would be suspended because Hickenbottom thought there were enough corruption, dishonesty and improprieties to suspend but the Good Gov. Put a pause on that, now he is being seen as the Devil. Imagine. The ungrateful blaxk man..
@ Poor Governor you stop your foolishness Rankin has his own agenda.
Under the Governor’s proposed Register of Interests Act everybody in public life will have to publicy disclose their private business affairs – everybody that is except the Governor.
Well, since the governor is usually a UK govt appointment, what are the chances that a prospective candidate has conflicting in interests? Most people in the UK hardly even know where the Virgin Islands are. Is there any evidence that any past UK appointed governor has had any conflicting business interests in the BVIs?
On the other hand, there are plenty of elected officials whose business interests conflict with govt interests. Some have rented offices to govt at sweetheart deals, others have provided govt services without having to bid for the work etc. That they are reluctant to get make their business interests in the public sector speaks volumes. The answer IMHO is simple enough…don’t wan’t to register? Then don’t run for public office. Otherwise, lead by example and comply.
What agenda, he is leaving island at the end of the month. He is doing his job and rather than push back, all tax payers should be supporting what he is doing – unless they are on the gravy train, I guess.
The Governor is a real hypocrite. He refuses to abide by the same register of interest act while serving in the BVI. He holds this view for him and all UK officials working in the BVI directly under the Governor. This is wrong and shows it is about an agenda and not truly about good governance. He needs to stop trying to fool sensible people.
Just living up to his name meh son. He not about to anything that doesn’t involve some first class air fare and a five star hotel.
Rankin, I beg you to pull down the hammer. Pull it down. What colonialism? Wrong is wrong and right is right. Wheatley and all who with him are grossly incompetent and the B.V I is not getting any better.
Take over the powers and let us clean up this place
Drop deh hammer and bust them head yes!
The draft legislation requires virtually everybody in public life, no matter how low a position that they hold, to register all their assets and interests – except for one person – the GOVERNOR, who for some reason is excluded.
Duhhhh… The Governor is an appointed position for a well respected, and honorable individual. He is not an elected official that is voted upon by the electorate. In other words, a Governor/ness has passed the bar, passed with flying colors, being given a green light, declared worthy and finally provided with the keys to the Country to oversee. BVI does not own the Country – the UK does and THEY provide the key to a Governor to act on their behalf. This Governor has answered to the UK in terms of assets and interests. They certainly don’t have to answer to the UK Territories Subjects, of which the BVI is one.
UK, Please just take over.
Why you don’t let them take you over!
Although I am not in favour of a UK take over, H.E. the Governor John Rankin is correct in his statement. The Government Ministers are Hell- Bent in continuing their illegal Practices even after the COI. Although some Politicians are still under investigation they are doing the same things for which they are being investigated for. The Governor is aware of such Behaviour and will deal with it at the appropriate time. The next News we will hear about is either more Arrests or another COI. Stay tuned.
Tell me you talking about Sowande without telling me you talking about Sowande.
He will have a pretty resume and fully pensionable after leaving office but will no doubt go down in BVI’s history as one of the worst leaders (if not the worse) the BVI has ever had.
I will reserve my comments for now regarding his weak team.
One reason we dont have government controls we should have is the weakness of the governor. He huffs and he puffs and then does nothing.