Will gov’t push to hold public officials accountable?
Questions have been raised over whether the government will move to ensure that government officials are held accountable for their actions given that it has so far failed to bring several pieces of good governance legislation into force.
Former Governor John Rankin disclosed in his last quarterly review that he previously called on the government to take proactive steps to bring good governance legislation into force — which had been passed for over two years — that could be used to hold officials to account.
He said these included a strengthened Integrity in Public Life Act, Whistleblower Act and amended Register of Interests Act.
According to Rankin, ”It is disappointing to report that this has not yet happened. Progress has been slow, and the government’s apparent inability or unwillingness to move swiftly to bring the necessary legislation into force is significantly impacting the reform process.”
Rankin pointed to the same issue of laws not being brought into force last year and said it may have offered protection for public officials where good governance concerns arose previously.
He 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 at the time.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has not given any indication as to why the legislation has not been brought into force. However, he has expressed that public servants have been overwhelmed in trying to meet deadlines regarding the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry recommendations.
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“he has expressed that public servants have been overwhelmed in trying to meet deadlines regarding the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry recommendations”.
If you guys would just practice good governance instead of trying to figure out how to keep your hands in the cookie jar you would have no problems implementing proper accountability.
It’s about dam time so of these so call minister get lock up from wasting tax paper money to do there own personal stuff
I am in complete Favour for ALL Elected officials to be held to account. Reason being, some of them are still into Corruption even after the COI. They are the Ones who have this Territory in the mess its in and things will NEVER get better if they are to remain in Office. NOT ALL. SOME.
AS long as we have the Good Ole Boy, relatives only big families running the BVI never. YES TO UK
used stimulus to cover family bills ayo seh?
From this bunch? Nope. I can’t see S!0w W@nde, a 70 yr old Wonder (I wonder why she is there) and these A$$ c!0wn Brigade members do anything where they would be held accountable by a population they want to stay in the dark.
At Resident, go back to your own corruption infested country and monitor your corrupt, not all, polticians.
You be on here everyday into our business and problems, but we never see you extrapolates on the illsof your country. Is your country clean and non corrupt? Highly unlikely Mr.Ms/