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Inquiry

March 2, 2023

19 Commission of Inquiry reforms complete by Jan. 31

As of Jan. 31, work had begun on 49 of 50 of the reform measures government promised following the Commission of Inquiry, with 19 already complete and 30 under way, …

Continue reading “19 Commission of Inquiry reforms complete by Jan. 31”

by ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
March 2, 2023

EZ Shipping barges cost government $2 million

The government paid $2.04 million to EZ Shipping Limited to rent barges for five months of border security services in 2020 and 2021 — including $738,000 for about two months …

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by ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
October 28, 2022

OECS objects to direct-rule threat in VI

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States called on the United Kingdom this week to withdraw the order in council that is being held in reserve to suspend the Virgin Islands …

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by Dana Kampa
October 13, 2022

Premier responds to governor’s review

Three days after Governor John Rankin released his first quarterly review on the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry recommendations, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said the document included criticisms …

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by ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
October 6, 2022

Kudos and ‘concern’: Governor reviews reforms

Governor John Rankin on Oct. 4 published his first quarterly report on the ongoing reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, guardedly praising the overall progress while also noting a …

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by Dana Kampa
September 30, 2022

New HOA committee to push COI reforms

Legislators created a special select Reform Committee on Sept. 27 to help ensure that the House of Assembly meets its law-making obligations under the National Unity Government’s framework for implementing …

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by Dana Kampa
September 14, 2022

Commission of Inquiry supporting documents now public

More than 11,000 pages of supporting documents that Governor John Rankin received with the Commission of Inquiry report on April 4 were posted last week on government’s website — more …

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by ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
September 12, 2022

Government auditors get new teeth

The recent Commission of Inquiry reported finding evidence that the Premier’s Office under former Premier Andrew Fahie may have obstructed government auditors investigating Covid-19 assistance programmes. A new law is …

Continue reading “Government auditors get new teeth”

by FREEMAN ROGERS
auditor general
July 29, 2022

Premier says COI reforms still on track

The framework for carrying out Commission of Inquiry recommendations includes a deluge of deadlines for July, but Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said last week that his National Unity Government …

Continue reading “Premier says COI reforms still on track”

by Dana Kampa
July 29, 2022

HOA okays public Register of Interests

On June 30, legislators missed their deadline to make the Register of Interests public and establish penalties for violating declaration rules. On July 21, however, they passed a bill to …

Continue reading “HOA okays public Register of Interests”

by Dana Kampa
July 27, 2022

HOA officially ‘rejects’ direct UK rule

More than a month ago, the new National Unity Government agreed to work with the United Kingdom to carry out reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry — thereby avoiding …

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by Dana Kampa
July 19, 2022

Interests bill tabled, but not passed by deadline

The House of Assembly missed its deadline on June 30 to pass legislation to reform the Register of Interests by making it public. However, Governor John Rankin said the next …

Continue reading “Interests bill tabled, but not passed by deadline”

by Dana Kampa
July 19, 2022

Premier, guv tout reform progress

Despite a missed deadline to publish the Register of Interests by June 30, Governor John Rankin and Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said on July 1 that they are pleased …

Continue reading “Premier, guv tout reform progress”

by Dana Kampa
July 18, 2022

Ministers field questions on COI reforms

This week residents were given the first public opportunity to weigh in on the plan the Virgin Islands and United Kingdom governments have agreed for carrying out every Commission of …

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by Dana Kampa
June 30, 2022

‘Unfettered discretion’ out the door for grants

Assistance grants that were formerly disbursed at elected officials’ discretion will now be administered by the Social Development Department after the Commission of Inquiry blasted the existing system for a …

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by ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
June 3, 2022

Government in talks with Britain on proposal

On May 11, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced that his National Unity Government was waiting for the United Kingdom to respond to a proposal for carrying out governance reforms …

Continue reading “Government in talks with Britain on proposal”

by ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
June 3, 2022

Commission of Inquiry cost government more than $8 million

The Virgin Islands government has paid out more than $8 million in responding to the United Kingdom-led Commission of Inquiry, most of which went toward covering legal fees, Premier Dr. …

Continue reading “Commission of Inquiry cost government more than $8 million”

by Dana Kampa
May 27, 2022

COI blasts gov’t handling of statutory boards

Statutory boards in the territory are supposed to function independently, but many fall far short of that ideal because of political interference and inadequate appointment practices, a cording to the …

Continue reading “COI blasts gov’t handling of statutory boards”

by ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
May 26, 2022

HOA committee says Willock should pay legal fees

A special committee of the House of Assembly has recommended against using public funds to pay more than $100,000 in legal costs that former HOA Speaker Julian Willock incurred while …

Continue reading “HOA committee says Willock should pay legal fees”

by Dana Kampa
May 26, 2022

Wheatley promises change ‘at every level’

As the Virgin Islands awaits a decision from the United Kingdom on a possible period of direct rule, the new National Unity Government is promising a “fresh start” with widespread …

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by Dana Kampa
May 19, 2022

$6.5 million paid to Withers during inquiry

Though government paid the United Kingdom-headquartered law firm Withers LLP $6.5 million for representation during the Commission of Inquiry, not all branches of government benefited from the firm’s services, according …

Continue reading “$6.5 million paid to Withers during inquiry”

by ZARRIN TASNIM AHMED
May 19, 2022

Direct-rule concerns aired at UN meeting

As the Virgin Islands waited to learn whether the United Kingdom will impose direct rule, Special Envoy of the Premier Benito Wheatley provided an update to the United Nations Special …

Continue reading “Direct-rule concerns aired at UN meeting”

by Dana Kampa
May 19, 2022

Government makes plans ahead of UK decision

The territory waited in limbo after the newly formed National Unity Government privately sent the United Kingdom a proposal last week to make reforms locally without the two-year dissolution of …

Continue reading “Government makes plans ahead of UK decision”

by Dana Kampa
May 13, 2022

Premier hoping for UK word on direct rule ‘very soon’

Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley hopes the territory will hear “very soon” whether the United Kingdom will impose direct rule for two years here, he said in a press conference …

Continue reading “Premier hoping for UK word on direct rule ‘very soon’”

by Dana Kampa
May 12, 2022

UPDATE: Guv announces criminal probes advised by COI

Governor John Rankin has instructed Police Commissioner Mark Collins to launch several criminal investigations recommended by the recently published Commission of Inquiry report. The investigations will probe four areas, Mr. …

Continue reading “UPDATE: Guv announces criminal probes advised by COI”

by Dana Kampa

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