TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC -The Governor of this British Overseas territory, John Rankin, has suggested that his hand was forced in seeking additional powers for his office from the United Kingdom (UK) to help implement the Commission of Inquiry (COI) good governance recommendations.
Speaking on local radio, the governor said his request was necessary because there has not been sufficient drive and determination across the various ministries and departments to deliver on the agreed-upon COI deadlines.
However, the government has pushed back on this assertion and accused the governor of overreaching and encroaching on the powers traditionally held by elected officials in the territory.
According to a report in BVI Newsonline, one legislator suggested that the governor may force same-sex marriage laws on the territory with the new powers he seeks.
“I’m aware that the additional powers proposal is a strong proposal to make, but I think there’s been some, perhaps incorrect representation of precisely what I have suggested,” Rankin said.
He also suggested that some of the concerns shared by lawmakers were ridiculous.
“Some people have suggested that the proposed additional powers are, somehow or another, a takeover of the democratic system. That’s not true. I’ve even seen a suggestion that the additional powers are designed to force through same-sex marriage in the territory,” said Rankin.
“Well, actually, I proposed additional powers for Commission of Inquiry implementation. And whatever your views on same-sex marriage may be, that’s not one of the Commission of Inquiry recommendations. So those people that have suggested that are way off beat in terms of what’s being proposed.”
Rankin said the proposal to seek additional powers was not made to accomplish anything the government has yet to promise yet failed to deliver.
Concerning additional powers for the introduction of legislation, the governor said he did not suggest that the House of Assembly should not pass legislation into law and argued that his move would help overcome blockages in getting legislation to the House, where lawmakers can then debate and consider bills.
He reminded persons that the COI found evidence of poor governance, misuse of public funds, misused assistance grants in their distribution, lawmakers not registering their interests, and over two-thirds of all significant contracts not being openly tendered.
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