Will gov’t push to hold public officials accountable?

Cabinet Ministers in the governing Virgin Islands Party administration led by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley (right).

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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