Despite the recent change in overseas territory ministerial leadership and the pending change of governor early next year, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said on July 25 that progress on …
July 27, 2023
June 15, 2023
Rankin: COI reform progress ‘still too slow’
Virgin Islands leaders will have to speed up governance reforms to meet an important May 2024 deadline, Governor John Rankin said on June 9 while giving an update on his …
Continue reading “Rankin: COI reform progress ‘still too slow’”
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”
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 …
Continue reading “EZ Shipping barges cost government $2 million”
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 …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Kudos and ‘concern’: Governor reviews reforms”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Commission of Inquiry supporting documents now public”
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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”
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 …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “‘Unfettered discretion’ out the door for grants”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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 …
Continue reading “Wheatley promises change ‘at every level’”
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”
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 …
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”
