Whistleblower law may have shielded officials in Fast Track scheme
Governor John Rankin has suggested that the Whistleblower Act, which is yet to be enforced, may have offered protection to public officials where good governance concerns arose recently.
In his most recent quarterly report on the implementation of Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommended reforms, the Governor reiterated that several good governance laws passed by the government are yet to be enforced, even after being assented to more than a year ago. He said these laws include the Whistleblower Act and Integrity in Public Life Act.
Speaking to the Whistleblower Act in particular, the governor said this must be enforced to enable public officials to raise concerns about corruption and wrongdoing.
Governor Rankin referred to audits he received on Assistance Grants and the Fast Track scheme on Belonger status and Residency and said these show an indication of a public service that has been “unable to act when faced with possible corruption”.
“I strongly believe that an effective whistleblowing system would have offered protection to public officials,” the Governor stated in his report.
He added that elements of whistleblower policy have been included in the Public Service Management Code, led by the Deputy Governor.
Integrity Act needs amendment
In the meantime, the Governor pointed to the Integrity in Public Life Act which was given assent in February 2022 and noted that the Act still requires some amendment. However, he noted that drafting instructions are currently being prepared to have this done.
Amendments to the law are expected to be followed by the recruitment of an Integrity Commissioner who will establish the Integrity Commission.
The Governor said he welcomed Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s commitment to enforcing the law and expressed that the independence of the Integrity Commission must be guaranteed.
He also pointed out that the COI report and the recently received independent review into the declaration of interests of elected officials concerning contracts with the government — conducted by Denniston Fraser (B5) — both make recommendations on improving the Act. These recommendations were made to ensure the Commission and the Registrar of Interests can operate effectively.
Additions to the law may include effective sanctions for non-compliance or fraudulent entries, as well as fuller definitions of ‘family members’, and proper resourcing.
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All this man does is try to paint everything any government or people of the BVI do as bad. His intentions are not good for the BVI. Tell him go pay the public servants their increments as he is taking too long to get this done seeing the government done give him the monies to pay them. No one can hold him accountable for anything.
What is clear is this guy is trying to programme the people’s mind to try to see things his way so he can use this to try to justify his unjustifiable take over which is not inkeeping with democracy. The UK & Governor could not help BVI during covid and now want to take this shame out of their eyes by trying to make it look to the public like all that was done to help the people was done wrong. Come on Governor. So many things under your responsibility is going wrong and have negative rumors around some of them but because you are over the police and all enquiring body then how will the scales ever be balanced to look into you. The people of the BVI are not fools like you think we are.
He looking news carriers
Why he don’t just hush his f**king mouth? Everything is negative, nothing positive is happening in the BVI? RVIPF are the most corrupt and are under his watch, yet nothing about them.
Keep the pressure on this government to implement all the recommendations of the 2021 CoI and enforce all these new laws, statutory instruments, amendments, etc. to accomplish the ultimate goal of a transparent, fair and honest BVI government.
The same way on the plantation where they had slaves who would tell on the others who were rebelling. Smh
Why you don’t get whistle blowers for the police department and the DPP office. How much law suits do they have for falsely prosecuting people
What possible reason is there to be negative?
Billions of revenue to the government since the 1980s and we have sewage in the streets; open burning of trash, and terrible roads.
Oh, and the former Director of Ports pleading guilty to drugs offences and the Territory’s Premier going on trial next month.
Nothing to worry about there, then!
What about all the public servants that have other jobs during working hours. They do trucking, taxi bush cutting, painting and the list goes on. I remember several years back the boss for the department would write the offenders letters and remind everyone at the staff meetings. If these people want to do their business full time it is of my opinion they should resign and allow the people that really need the jobs to get it and work hard.
The asinine remarks befitting the authors of limited IQ and plenty guilt continues as it did with the previous Governor.
Blessings on former Gov Jaspert and also on Gov Rankin.
It is our fortune to have them do the uncomfortable Big Reveals with the assist of the Divine.
This will not work in the BVI. people to meteh. whoever you tell to carry news on you so know what you doing. this is not the USA with a witness protection scheme that can disappear you in a new life. this is the BVI eh. Best be careful in this place
He’s seeking good governance and accountability
We have a $250,000 party to release the stress. We jammin’
These corrupt and inept politicians need pushing every inch of the way to implement good governance. For the sake of our country’s future, I support this Governor’s actions. Thank you Gov. Rankin.
Bcuz you says it’s so don’t make it so. So much positive happy in the BVI but you’re too blind to see. Immigration, hmp, labour, CHR, police, customs, PWD, SWD in fact all government agencies corrupt that’s why they need fixing. Am guessing you like it as it is with your only beef being the police.
Who is taking about the corrupt uk government?
You are clearly upset with the RVIPF for rocking the boat. Personally I am pleased to see them arresting corrupt officers and thieving government officials.
I believe we can stop calling these demands “recommendations” because it’s not just recommendations if its either do it or else lose your right to make decisions all together.
There is no protection that a whistleblower can have in a small community. Ok they might be protected from losing their job as a direct result of snitching but then they will easily be black balled and kept out of the loop of anything in the future. They will be labeled a rat and lose out on other opportunities. That act is useless in the VI due to our size and culture of no ratting! Stop trying to bring UK laws and apply them here! We need our own unique laws to be effective. Just like that public register act for politicians. Pointless! In a small community we already know who got what business or involved in what companies. And nobody going to pay to get the register. Except the mosey colonizers who want to tear us down and find any reason to step in. These laws the coi pushing for will never serve the BVI in the way the promoting them. We need our own unique checks and balances.
Our own unique checks and balances have put our name in everybody’s mouth, and it has not been in a good way. Just look at the trio consisting Fahie and the Maynards… they had their own unique checks and balances; look where it landed them! we cannot police ourselves, we have proven that to the whole wide world. Let the governor, through the UK do what is needed to bring back these beautiful Virgin Islands to some sort of respected status.
Whistle blow the governor shacking up with a woman not his wife in the dam government house. Integrity my A$$
What I don’t get about some of you is that when government officials do bad you were blaming the governors for sitting back and doing nothing. Now these 2 last governors are proactive and trying to get our government system in proper working order and highlighting the things that needs to change to make that happen, y’all vex saying how he just painting everything in a negative light. The last one done predict or knew HC was involved in drugs and he got caught & the COI. This one now is carrying out the COI guidelines and now y’all vex the governors doing their jobs.
They doing it, so we could do it too. Their country corrupt so we could be a little corrupt too.
Struppz. Too many people content with staying how we is