Why the rush? Malone questions haste in pushing COI reforms
Opposition legislator Carvin Malone has questioned the haste with which some legislation related to the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommended reforms has been proceeding.
The Government of National Unity signed a framework agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) that offered detailed timelines for the more than 40 recommendations made in the Sir Gary Hickinbottom-authored COI report which was released weeks ago.
But Malone then parted ways with the government and proceeded to join the political opposition in the House of Assembly (HOA) after announcing that the government’s approach to the COI recommended reforms, as outlined in the framework agreement, was not in cohesion with his views.
The Territorial At-Large Representative has continued with his opposing views since.
“We have to be mindful of what all we are doing under the guise of expediency because the question has to be answered, why the rush?,” Malone stated.
He said this is a very important question that must be answered.
“We saw that a measure came to the table [in the HOA] the other day. It was to be passed in three consecutive votes on the same day. This in terms of the registration of interest,” Malone said.
The first-term legislator was at the time referring to the government’s moves to introduce a revised Register of Interests (ROI) Act which would see a publicly accessible version of HOA members’ declaration of interests and will also see a greater number of public officials being affected.
Malone explained that the recently introduced ROI bill not only expanded out from HOA members, and elected members but also included a number of public officials as well as board members from statutory bodies.
But Malone said this approach was taken without proper public consultations being done or education for those who have been involved.
Malone sought to make it clear though, that he was entirely in support of efforts to enhance transparency and good governance in the territory.
“I will seek to basically put on record the fact that I support that we must come better as a people, as a jurisdiction in terms of making sure that all of the tenets of accountability and transparency and good governance and whatever it is, must be brought up to par,” he added.
Malone further noted that there must be confidence in administrating and in governance but said these can only be achieved by having the people on board every step of the road.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Sit and shut your $5 a$$ down before we make change.You had years to speak up and do the right and say the right but kept your mouth shut so keep it shut now because nobody want to hear you at this point.
Couldnt agree with you more… He is making a mockery of himself now.
Perhaps he is finding it all difficult to follow.
I am just sick and tired of you now
but the sword of Damocles is hanging right there over your head. When it falls then direct UK rule commences and you are redundant. That’s the rush!
cause the country was about to be sold of to the Colombians you absolute idiot..
Where do they find these people? The rush is to stop even more public money being stolen or spent badly. Without the time table and sword of Damocles, nothing would change because it suits the ruling elite, and the tiny, blind electorate.
In case you hadn’t noticed the BVI had billions of government revenue since the mid 80s, but we seem to have terrible infrastructure and really poor educational facilities.
“In case you hadn’t noticed the BVI had billions of government revenue since the mid 80s, but we seem to have terrible infrastructure and really poor educational facilities.”
Negative Much? What solutions do you propose to make the Territory better instead of complaining? Or let me guess you cannot vote but want to have a say in our politics.
Where’s yours? How do you know if the person can or cannot vote? Does that preclude them from having a valid opinion? This is the juvenile mentality and thinking that has us exact where we are currently.
I pay taxes, and so I’m entitled to an opinion. I pay taxes unlike a LOT of people with a vote. We saw that with the rule of showing tax compliance when seeking work permits etc. That rule had to be revoked, I think, because too few BVI owned business could comply with it.
You are clearly not aware that the published VI budget has been about 335 million for the past 10 or so years. That’s a billion dollars every 3 years.
You don’t have to carry a VI passport to look at our surroundings and question where that money has gone. You don’t have to be a voter to drive on our hole and sewerage filled roads. You don’t have to carry a belonger stamp to identify the utter wrongness in the state of our schools and neglect of our youth (so future).
You only need a conscience.
It is fools like you why we are in the predicament we are in now.
I am glad everyone cuss your liver. You too dumb.
We need Dancia, Ronnie, Fraser, Kedrick and Myron in power to stand up to these UK bullies
by electing money grabbing politicians from the past..
NO. We need a clean start. Those you have named are co**upt or incompetent or both.
Who will be the leader?
Poor thing still in the woods, someone pass by Drakes and buy him a machete please!!
To the Hon. Mr. Malone…
Are you part of the Problem?
Or part of the Solution?
Because we have been corrupt for far too long, duh!
If you don’t like it this way that was skillfully orchestrated by P. Wheatley. What do you prefer the alternative and Direct UK control until the VI mess is fixed?
BESIDES DOING A TRUMP ON WE / HE IS SAYING ( YEAH , WE HAD AH GOOD TING GuINE ON ) UNTIL THAT FIASCO IN MIAMI WENT DOWN / AND SOME OF US WERE TOLD GENTLY TOLD TO TAKE THE DOOR TO THE LEFT / AS IN PLEASE LEAVE QUIETLY ?
He is trying to sound relevant.
Same song that was sung by the most unhonourable Foi, when he and other elected said what was the rush for the report regarding the fisherman and farmers mandatory paperwork to the Auditor General.
SMDH SO MUCH!!! I am going to the doctors for a neckbrace for whiplash!