TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC – The Governor of the British Virgin Islands, John Rankin, has argued that abuses in government discovered during the Commission of Inquiry (COI) process should never be allowed to occur again.
According to the Governor, more audits and reviews from the Commission of Inquiry Report have been completed and published in the last quarter.
Rankin said he was also pleased to note that specific issues raised in his previous quarterly review received positive attention from the Premier.
“Additional funding for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) was agreed, and actions have been taken to improve and speed up the current arrangements for processing Residency and Belonger Status applications,” the governor said.
He added that the next step remains to turn the findings and recommendations in the audits and reviews into practical action to achieve reforms.
Pointing to the findings from the audit on the COVID-19 assistance grants, Rankin said this was clear evidence for everyone to see the need for reform and to ensure that public funds are being properly allocated.
The governor also said that he recognizes that some of the issues covered in the reviews are sensitive and difficult and that meaningful public consultation is required.
Meanwhile, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley told the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee this week that his government continues to work diligently in its respective areas of constitutional responsibility to improve and strengthen the systems and institutions of government.
“On the ground, we have been following through on our commitment to the people of the British Virgin Islands to build a model democracy,” Wheatley told the UN gathering.
Wheatley also indicated that he was pleased with what he described as a welcomed shift in the UK’s engagement with the territory and the tone of communications.
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