There’s been a breakdown in trust of public officials
Labour Minister Vincent Wheatley has said he believes there has been a breakdown of trust between public officials and residents.
While debating the Integrity in Public Life bill recently, Minister Wheatley argued that it was important for this trust to be restored, both in elected officials and within the public service as well.
He noted that persons continue to speak about the public service, but said this is usually done in a very bad light.
“I think we could all agree that over the past few years we as leaders have suffered from a lack of trust by the public,” Wheatley said.
As lawmakers, legislators needed to be strategic, intentional and deliberate in their duties, the Labour Minister reasoned. He further argued that the government’s aggressive legislative agenda reflects this approach.
Who will serve on the Commission
Meanwhile, the Integrity in Public Life Act seeks to establish an Integrity Commission which will assist in achieving government’s objective of promoting good governance, enhancing ethical conduct of public officials, and strengthening the prevention and detection of corrupt acts by persons in public life.
Minister Wheatley said the chairperson of this commission is expected to be a retired judge or an attorney at law who has practised for at least 15 years in the Virgin Islands.
According to Minister Wheatley, the Commission — which is expected to be made up of the Premier’s nominee, the Opposition Leader’s nominee and a nominee from the Christian Council — will be reflective of the BVI’s society.
The minister contended that the commission will be fully autonomous and balanced and said no one will be able to stack it in their favour as is being done with the United States Supreme Court.
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NOBODY TRUST THE VIP GOVERNMENT PERIOD !!!!!
How can you trust a government that lies to the people all time?
This is even more so between employers and employees and the immigration department.
But we still not going back to the ndp so go smoke that
Change the name PUBLiC SERVICE gives the wrong expectations to your customers, maybe Departments of Queue Here
Spot on!!!
Or maybe the “Public Make-an-Appointment for Next Year Service”.
If you think of Pulic Service , in the manner of a bull servicing a cow, it makes much more sense. Accurate too.
Can’t imagine why. Just look at the place. Turd world
No one should be surprised when karma does it thing.
If one goes into elected office with ulterior motives, it will show, and the people will respond.
Hon. Premier and MinIsters of Government:
How long do you all plan on riding this dead horse. By now you should realize that for any government or business to be successful, they must have standards and strive to maintain them. When this fail to happens and the anything goes mentality kick in this is the end results.
In order for the public service to improve, changes must be made. Some may not like it but it has to happen. One thing I notice, is disciplining staff. The service tend to discipline from the bottom to the middle and stop there. The truth is the top is mostly the problem but little is done about that. Imagine, you make appointments for person to see your department head or supervisor and they don’t show up on time. Know you that person not coming to work before 9am so you set it for 9:30 give them sometime. Sometimes persons out there being call lairs because they trying to find excuses why boss late. It so embarrassing. On the other hand, let the subordinate be late and the same boss quick yo write you up and send it to HR and all the place. Some even have the nerve to brag about it. Their time will come.
So Hon. Minister, if all of you want improvements in the service, start with the top. Set the standards and make sure Department Heads adhere to them. Hold them accountable for their behavior. Once this happens those under them will no it’s a nonsense place and they too have to abide by the rules. I guarantee you will see improvements.
Amid the bandying of words and phrases like ‘good governance’, ‘autonomous’, ‘ethical’ and ‘balanced’, the two most important words are suspiciously absent: TRANSPARENT and ACCOUNTABLE.
No party or commission should be allowed this kind of power. Warrantless searches are unethical-Period. Are we going to let this pass, knowing that mama England will slap down warrantless searches? Are we utterly disinterested or cowards?
Politics is the engine that continue to sow disunity. Party politics, race politic, class politics and of insulariy politics. There’s a lot of Genghis Khan’s actively propagating this last one. Many from empire 8s actively working to maintain the status quo …..
Shouldnt this be part of the Ombudsman’s remit?