Order in Council removal a major victory
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. (GIS Photo) Despite criticism, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has scored what many see as a major political victory, with the United Kingdom’s decision to officially lift...
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. (GIS Photo) Despite criticism, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has scored what many see as a major political victory, with the United Kingdom’s decision to officially lift the draft Order in Council (OIC) that threatened to suspend the Virgin Islands’ constitution if good governance reforms were not fully implemented.
The decision, announced by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty, signals confidence that COI reforms have been completed to the UK’s satisfaction, and that the territory can maintain its constitutional democracy without external intervention.
In welcoming the recommendations, Dr Wheatley thanked several local and regional partners who helped the government to achieve the OIC removal. "I want to thank my colleagues in the Cabinet and the House of Assembly, senior public officers and the Governor and his team for their tireless work in implementing the 48 recommendations.
I also want to thank CARICOM, OECS, the United Nations, the Caribbean overseas territories, the USVI, and all of our international partners who have stood by our side these past three years," Premier Wheatley said. The OIC removal comes amid praises from several Cabinet ministers who have been hailing Dr Wheatley’s persistence and steady leadership through a politically sensitive period which began in 2022.
Recently, the Premier was described by his Chief Advisor, Kedrick Malone, as a “visionary leader” who has placed the Virgin Islands on a path toward sustainable development and cultural empowerment. Malone highlighted Dr Wheatley’s focus on long-term planning and his success in representing the territory’s interests internationally since taking office in 2022.
Under Dr Wheatley’s leadership, the government has achieved several key milestones: restoring direct flights from the United States to the BVI after more than three decades, pushing forward the expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, securing a US$100 million loan facility for infrastructure improvements, raising the minimum wage, and enacting major reforms stemming from the COI process.
Still, the many victories come against a backdrop of ongoing challenges in the territory. Residents continue to raise concerns about poor road conditions, rising cost of living, strained health services, and frequent international trips by members of the government. Critics have argued that while sweeping governance changes have been enacted, more attention must be given to ensuring that elected leaders abide by the new standards set by the raft of reforms.
Primary source: BVI News