The Governor has missed COI deadlines too!

Dr Wheatley

Amid outcry from elected leaders who are against additional powers being sought by Governor John Rankin, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has hit back against the UK representative, saying persons should note that Governor Rankin has missed some of his COI deadlines.

Governor Rankin last week expressed disappointment in the progress the elected government has made with implementing the good governance reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry (COI).

Rankin said the government has missed multiple deadlines and has not made any progress on multiple deliverables. But speaking on Tola Radio earlier this week, the Premier called out Governor Rankin, saying he has glossed over the deadlines his office has missed in his bid to undermine the elected government.

“The Governor had deadlines and he missed them but he has glossed over them and everybody says that’s OK because if you miss it, there’s a good reason,” Premier Wheatley said with a sarcastic tone.

“You (the Governor) are a good, decent individual who wants the best for the Virgin Islands so if you miss a deadline we’ll just forget about that. But you see those good-for-nothing politicians who look like you and I …”

Before the Premier could finish his statement, he was cut off by Morning Braff host Cindy Rosan who said, “we will not perpetuate a black vs white agenda.” Later on that day at his own press conference, Premier Wheatley told one journalist that Governor Rankin’s law enforcement review was late. But he said the journalist did not press Governor Rankin about that.

His permanent secretary Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe also confirmed that a number of deliverables under the Governor’s group remain outstanding to date. In the meantime, Premier Wheatley also told the public that there are no repercussions when the Governor is late with deliverables, stating that this is unfair since he is an unelected representative in the territory.

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