Unity gov’t will not neglect the people’s needs — Wheatley
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has reassured the Virgin Islands people that while the National Unity Government will be focused on reform and implementing the Commission of Inquiry recommendations, his government will not neglect the delivery of public service and the growth of the economy in the territory.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at Government House on Thursday, Dr Wheatley said he will continue to utilize his new responsibilities in the best way to ensure the needs of the people and the territory are addressed.
“In my capacity as Minister of Finance, I will ensure that the financial services industry continues to meet the high standards of regulation that have made us successful as an International Finance Centre over the years, particularly as we prepare to join international regulatory efforts by a number of governments aimed at improving the integrity of the global financial system,” Dr Wheatley said.
“Under my leadership as Tourism Minister, a robust effort to support the tourism industry will be made. I will be assisted in my duties by Junior Minister for Tourism Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines, and I will also have the benefit of the knowledge and understanding of the Junior Minister for Trade, Economic Development, Agriculture and Fisheries Honourable Shereen Flax-Charles on the specific needs of the business community,” he added.
The Premier noted implementation of the recommendations cannot be done within the existing structures of the government and as a result, an implementation body will be created to assist with the COI recommendations.
“An implementation body will have to be created to support and advance the work involved and there will have to be a partnership between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom to achieve the desired outcome of a model democracy whose institutions and systems of government are robust and whose economy provides opportunities for everyone to make a decent living,” Premier Wheatley said.
He said while he understands that a decision has not yet been made by the United Kingdom on the report’s recommendation for a partial suspension of the territory’s constitution, he will continue to engage the governor on how best the National Unity Government can work in the best interest of the Virgin Islands people to deliver reform.
“We are a willing partner and ready to take the process forward in partnership without delay,” the Premier said.
“Change will be hard. Tough decisions will have to be made, and people we know and care about will be affected. However, this is for the better, and in the end, we will emerge stronger as a society,” Dr Wheatley added.
He promised that the new ministers in his Cabinet will bring fresh ideas and urgency to their portfolio on behalf of the people.
“Education will get the attention it so urgently needs, led by Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie de Castro. Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Marlon Penn will ensure that health and medical institutions continue operating and that services are maintained,” Dr Wheatley said.
“Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull will continue the work of improving our labour regime and management of the environment,” he added.
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Utter BS
He is already ignoring the public needs by not calling for a snap election. We need new minds in government. Not those exposed to the corruption and still dealing it. They are not helping us, only themselves. The formation of a “new” party does nothing to remove the taint and stain they have all bought on us.
UK please take over now.
As much as I want these guys out, we must be realistic with ourselves.
Who will we vote in if there’s a snap election? We can’t continue doing the same things and expecting different results.
Give us a new election when it is constitutionally due. Corrupt shouldn’t be allowed to fix corrupt- Slowande please dissolve your government because it will not save you.
Any move to rid the statutory boards of the freeloaders, cronies and criminals? Any move to rid customs of the same? gotten rid of the unaccountable cash in pockets ? Sacked any civil servants exceeding their authority? Made any humanitarian reforms towards the poor people her under the work permit slavery scheme? Doern anything yet? Care to tell us who government official ! is? [ like we don’t know]
No thought not
Same old same old rats in the cheese shop.
Ya,ya
This is like putting lipstick on a pig! You won’t change!! You don’t know how! You are part of the problem, every one of you!! They all must go for change to happen. People do not be fooled by these fools again. This is our chance BVI!!! Do not miss this opportunity for change!! We will not get this chance again anytime soon. British where/are corrupt, racist colonizers bit that is all in the past like the slave trade! Let’s move on and up, say no to these new suppressors that have destroyed the BVI over the last 20+ yrs through greed and selfishness. Time to all stand up and together and look at our children as the future leaders of this country and start leading by example. BVI Love!! It’s time to rise and take some responsibility for the future of our Beautiful Virgin Islands!!!
Natalio Wheatley, It’s real funny to see you sitting next to the Governor with one hand on his shoulder. Last month you were calling the UK racist colonizers, talking about slave trade and the UK been suppressors now you are begging the UK to give you a chance to rule the BVI. I hope they can see through all of you and take over the running of the BVI for the next 2 0r 3 years none of you are fit to represent the BVI. We are begging the UK to take us over it can’t be worse than what we had to put with for the last 20 years.
well about that slave trade, suppression and colonization… facts are facts. peeps still being locked up for a joint.
This is a situation of the pot and the kettle.
I want to give them another chance after Andrew’s influence has left.
They really could do better by the people and lead us to better standards of living by speaking up for radical genuinely good natured change. Your in there to make a change not to let one big boy turn your volume down. Play by the people not by the party.
He was similar to a cult leader had them praying and speaking of how he inspires them. Shocking revelations he wasnt who he said he was but in hindsight not too shocking.
a few weeks ago he was talking about how good a job his government was doing and they deserve to be re elected… now he can admit they were neglecting the people’s needs. progress?
Everyone calling for elections now because of corruption are the ones that are power hungry. The reality is we will have the usual so called bright people teasing us about running and when the time comes they will pull out, leaving us with the career politicians to choose from. What we need, is what we have, the UK looking over them to ensure that they do what they are supposed to. I’m confident that this new team will get stuff done be because they do NOT have a choice.
What finer words from a politician….been heard before…like “Trust me, I’m with the govt”,
This “Unity Government” is comprised of the same members who have sat in the HOA for almost 4 years. NOW you’re going to tackle corruption, the economy and a heinously neglected education system?
Why didn’t any of you do more than photo ops at moldy schools while our education system fell deeper into failure over the past four years?
Why did none of you have the courage to ‘unify’ over the murder rate and guns in our streets and ask the hard questions?
Why did none of you speak out in UNITY during the televised COI hearings when it was clear to all ‘your people’ that entrenched corruption exists at all levels of our government and instead chose to remain silent, hoping mama England would deliver a slap on the wrist?
You’ve all had your chance.
Most of WE people want to find a better way into the future and many of us are prepared to fight for it without your pretend leadership, glad-handling, blind eyes and empty words standing in our way.
If even a handful of our representatives had shown the inclination or integrity to Unify DURING the COI hearings, we might have had a very different outcome.
this is funny to me cause this man for the 3 years he in what have he done for his 7th distrait. let me tell you what he did NOTHING!!!!!
and now he running a country this have to be a joke.
Erected a wall for a hinge man in Brady Ghut. Fake he is
The good news is they will only be in government until the criminal charges start. Everyone of them were complicit in the sins of the ruling party, all their faces in the contract letting pictures, never speaking out about the excesses. They all need to be gone!
THEIR MASTER DIDN’T PUT A GUN TO THEIR HEADS , SO THEY HAVE NO EXCUSE , ( MITCH ) SPOKE OUT , WHETHER RIGHT OR WRONG ,/ SO THESE PRETENDERS WERE SPEWING OUT RACISM/ HATRED / COLONIALISM ETC • WHILE DRUGS , GUNS / MURDER WERE GOING ON EVERYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY/ YET NOT ONE OF THEM SAID ANYTHING , OR PROTESTED OR CALLED FOR A MARCH
This is a sham government. It’s just VIP and NDP trying to hold onto their way of life
You know what you getting into wheatley? Can you hold strain?