UK decision on COI recommendations ‘moving ahead’ — Governor
Governor Daniel Pruce has confirmed that the UK government is moving ahead with its consideration of the final reports on the Commission of Inquiry (COI) reforms in the territory.
Speaking at a press conference, Pruce reminded the public that several submissions had been sent to London earlier in the year, including his own report, the government’s self-assessment, and the results of a public survey.
“To the extent that I understand it, that process in the United Kingdom of consideration of that body of information, which is quite extensive, there’s a lot of it, and discussion with colleagues and also with the Foreign Secretary is moving ahead,” he told reporters.
Pruce added that the timing of an announcement is not within his control.
“Not for me to impose a time scale on the minister, but my assumption would be that that work of consideration has been moving ahead. And, you know, I hope that we will hear something soon. But I’m not in a position to give you a specific timeline for that,” he said.
The governor stressed that the UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, and the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, are considering all submissions carefully.
“There’s a significant body of information that was submitted. I’m sure that that has been given full scrutiny and detailed consideration. Obviously, it’s a fundamentally important set of issues which the Minister is being asked to take a view on,” Pruce said.
The Commission of Inquiry, held in 2021, investigated governance in the BVI and recommended reforms across areas such as contracts, Crown land distribution and public finance management.
The UK initially threatened to suspend parts of the constitution through an Order in Council if reforms were not delivered. Since then, the BVI government has worked to implement all 48 recommendations, including legislative changes and strengthened oversight mechanisms.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley previously said he expects the UK to remove the Order in Council once a final decision is made, arguing that the territory has met its obligations. Public discussions on the reforms were also held across the islands to keep residents informed and engaged in the process.
The governor noted that while the process is lengthy, it is a vital step for the future of the Virgin Islands. He said the aim remains “a safe, secure and prosperous Virgin Islands” built on transparency and good governance.
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Where’s our $5 million? Why has this all been forgotten by the media and Government. We must get answers for the country!
There is no Transparency.
There is no Good Governance. Just as Fraser says a Dictatorship.
Where are the reports for the aiprort?
Where is our $100,000,000 loan going to?
Where are the accounts for the last 8 years?
Where are the concert spending reports?
Where is anything this Government promises?
The COI reforms are just a paperwork exercise.
NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
Nothing will it seems until the main recommendation is put in place.
it is clear that tax payers have no say, and the money our government is using belong to the politicians.
UK is a joke while this government drive the place up a reef. The COI recommendations is just a matter of paper work but the reality stays the same. Talk what we want, the UK isn’t perfect, but the things we get away with here is like Trump government
The UK is not our friend and when you realize that you understand that the empire didn’t last this long without knowing how to wield its power. As I was speaking with one of the players the other day, I noted that change has to be managed. Change without management of the change is a change that will fail to meet expected results. They know this when they demand change. Keep in mind they don’t offer very much and say that we have to find for ourselves financially yet they block the Marijuana, which made the state of California’s GDP top5 globally. And they blocked gaming, which made Las Vegas and Atlantic City do so well. And they want to block financial services, which allows us so level of independence from them. So basically they want us dependent on them again like in any abusive relationship, then they offer help so that we are indebted to them and they can say ‘Look how wonderful we are as an Empire.” It is not a healthy relationship but one that holds the major cards in the poker game. They have the flush draw high and we have 8’s. We do not share their world view, which is a problem. So the local politician cries for independence while the resident is less convinced that without the threat of oversight from the overlords that rampant abuse will happen. So the people have to be in a much closer partnership with the politicians, but with the politicians primary concern being winning elections, the forward progress of our country is obstructed.
Both California and Nevada have millions of acres of land and millions of residents and visitors to generate their revenue.
How would marijuana legislation increase BVI revenue?
There are 100s of casinos in Las Vegas; How many could be built in BVI? Anyway, this would not generate any real income for the island, just for the rich “elite” BVIslander who owned them.
Recommendations are not law. dont have to follow them.
Our constitution is a UK statute, so their parliament doesn’t have to stick with that either, if that’s the argument you want to use.
Recommendations from a colonial ruler are above the law and considered ORDERS for the corrupt colony to make them law.
“How would marijuana legislation increase BVI revenue?”
It would increase co-operation between police and the local community. Also tourist are highly interested in both recreational and medicinal. The tourist have other options and do not want to get arrested on vacation.
UK need to step in now before this place implodes.
We probably all fall into one massive pot hole, never be seen again.