TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC – Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has urged Virgin Islanders to reject suggestions that may grant larger management to the Governor, warning that such proposals would return the territory to colonial rule.
Wheatley made the remarks in parliament throughout a debate on the second quantity of a regulation enforcement overview carried out by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fireplace and Rescue Providers (HMICFRS).
The 289-page report outlines 375 suggestions, together with proposals for businesses reminiscent of Customs, Immigration, the Monetary Investigation Company, and the jail service to fall beneath the Governor’sgovernor’s direct management.
“The folks of the Virgin Islands should rise and say no. We is not going to give extra duty to the Governor,” Wheatley acknowledged.
He argued that these areas of governance — at the moment overseen by elected officers — shouldn’t be transferred to an unelected official with no mandate from the folks.
“This implies that each one of those areas ought to be moved beneath the ambit of the governor, the unelected governor… that’s taking us in the wrong way,” he acknowledged.
The Premier likened the advice to a controversial proposal within the 2022 Fee of Inquiry (COI) report, which had referred to as for the partial suspension of the Virgin Islands Structure and the switch of govt and legislative powers to the Governor.
“The primary suggestion of the COI spoke in regards to the suspension of our Structure… basically, that’s what we name colonialism,” Wheatley mentioned.
Whereas the COI had advisable two years of direct rule as a result of issues about corruption and poor governance, the UK later agreed to a framework that allowed for regionally led reforms as a substitute.
Wheatley argued that the territory has traditionally superior when granted larger autonomy, not much less.
“Our historical past has been after we’ve been given duty, we’ve thrived,” he mentioned. “Colonialism doesn’t result in larger safety. Colonialism results in an inferior state of safety.”
He additionally questioned the timing of the overview’s findings, saying among the recognized deficiencies ought to have been addressed way back.
“Why is it that we wait until 2025 to comprehend that that’s one thing that should happen?” he requested. “A few of the deficiencies… ought to have by no means been allowed to proceed for thus lengthy. That’s a mirrored image on those that are accountable for inside and exterior safety.”
The Premier maintained that regulation enforcement and inside safety ought to be the duty of native elected officers, not the Governor.
