A week after Governor John Rankin released his most recent quarterly report on the Commission of Inquiry recommendations, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley defended his government’s progress on the reforms …
EDITORIAL: A vote for election reform
The recent report from election observers should serve as a reminder for the new government to tackle long-needed reforms before voters head to the polls again. We were pleased that …
Premier defends progress of COI reforms
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 …
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 …
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Throne speech promises wide-ranging reforms
Reforms to governance, education, environmental protection, health care and other areas are among the government’s legislative priorities for a new House of Assembly session that started Tuesday, Governor John Rankin …
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EDITORIAL: Reform detractors should put up or shut up
Make no mistake: The people of the Virgin Islands are fed up. For decades, they have watched their elected leaders waste taxpayer money, reward cronies, shun transparency, and otherwise break …
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EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands democracy has dodged a bullet — for now
This democracy dodged a bullet on June 8. Kudos to Virgin Islands and United Kingdom leaders for mapping a route to comprehensive governance reform without resorting immediately to a partial …
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Major cuts planned for import duties
Government leaders said last week that they hope to ease the burden of rising costs for food, gas and other resources by slashing import duties. But they urged business owners …
EDITORIAL: Once again, SFC meetings should be public
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: The annual deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee should be open to the public. Unfortunately, our pleas have fallen on deaf …
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Facing COI, Fahie explains rocky UK relationship
In response to allegations of poor governance aired during the ongoing Commission of Inquiry, Premier Andrew Fahie last week described a pattern of systemic problems with the Virgin Islands’ constitutional …
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COMMENTARY — COI called ‘enforcer of good governance’
Without an enforcement mechanism ensuring that rules are followed by government officials, good governance is a mirage. Virgin Islands residents are today witnessing the true meaning of the rule of …
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EDITORIAL: Governance bills a test of leaders’ promises
Kudos to the House of Assembly for making steady progress in recent weeks on a raft of legislation designed to improve governance in the territory. We hope to see all …
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House to tackle digital data bills
The first House of Assembly sitting of 2021 is scheduled to kick off this week with a packed agenda that includes a slew of bills in the digital sphere up …
Premier again promises to reform VI governance
When then-Governor Gus Jaspert announced the commission of inquiry into possible corruption in the territory last month, he spoke about a longstanding need for legislative reforms designed to ensure good …
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COMMENTARY — Constitution seen as a means to an end
We find ourselves in thought-provoking times and not just because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This December will mark 70 years since the local legislature was reconstituted and local elected representation …
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EDITORIAL: Press conferences needed as Covid questions go unanswered
On March 17, Premier Andrew Fahie and Deputy Premier Carvin Malone promised to keep the public informed about the coronavirus pandemic by holding weekly press conferences on the topic and …
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EDITORIAL: Premier should start holding open press conferences
Premier Andrew Fahie should start holding regular press conferences that give journalists a chance ask about topics of their choosing. Though Mr. Fahie occasionally has met with the media about …
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EDITORIAL: Recommended election reform is long overdue
The international team that observed the February general election has provided a sound roadmap for badly needed election reforms in the Virgin Islands. If the new government is serious about …
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EDITORIAL: VI wants change, and new government must bring it
The people have spoken, and the message is clear. The Virgin Islands Party’s win was a ringing declaration that voters want a change. It is also clear what form they …
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EDITORIAL: A new year, a new Virgin Islands
It’s a new year, and the Virgin Islands should strive to make 2019 the fresh start it desperately needs. To that end, the time for excuses is over. Instead of …
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EDITORIAL: ESHS wall is one example of a much bigger problem
After the auditor general’s scathing report on the Elmore Stoutt High School perimeter wall, Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn and his ministry should have apologised and promised to do …
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EDITORIAL: Kudos to the marchers. Here’s what should happen next
The Friday march in Road Town could have benefited greatly from a clearer message and more-realistic demands, but we were delighted that residents took to the streets to push for …
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