Statement
COI Implementation Unit
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY REPORT AND OTHER REFORMS
REPORT SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2024
The Commission of Inquiry Implementation Unit has reported to the Governor and Premier on the status of work completed up to the end of March 2024.
Based on the timelines agreed in the Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and Other Reforms:
Work on 50 of the 50 Framework Recommendations has begun. 29 of the Recommendations have been completed (an increase of three recommendations) and 21 Recommendations are in progress.
The Recommendations are currently split into 130 Actions. Of these, 88 actions (68%) are completed, 15 actions (12%) are in progress and on track, 17 actions (13%) are in progress but experiencing challenges (a decrease of 4 actions). There are 10 actions (8%) that have not yet begun to be worked on.
Most notably in March, the Governance Reform Coordination Centre was set up to have a dedicated space for collaboration and coordination meetings and work in order to expedite the implementation of Framework Recommendations. Work continued to complete policies and drafting instructions to prepare to complete the remaining Actions.
The Dashboards give a pictorial summary of the status of the fulfilment of the COI recommendations as agreed in the Framework, as well as other reforms, so you can track the status of work on each recommendation. The Key lists and summarises each of the 50 COI Framework Recommendations as well as the other reforms, now being worked on as the main focus of Government of the Virgin Islands to raise our standards of governance in our beautiful Territory. It is colour coded to quickly indicate the overall progress on work connected with that particular Recommendation.
If you have any specific questions on the implementation of any of the COI Framework Recommendations or desire further information, please email the COI Implementation Unit directly at implementationunit@gov.vg
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KEY OF COI FRAMEWORK RECOMMENDATIONS AND OTHER REFORMS |
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A02 |
Review the Constitution to enable the people of the BVI to meet their aspirations, including those in respect of self-government within the context of modern democracy. |
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A03 |
Review discretionary powers held by elected public officials, removing where unnecessary or, where considered necessary, ensuring they are exercised in accordance with clearly expressed and published guidelines. |
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A04 |
Review all areas of government based on the audit timetable and prepare reports on appropriate areas. |
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B01 |
Review the Commissions of Inquiry Act and make recommendations designed to improve the conduct of Commissions of Inquiry in the BVI. |
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B02 |
Establish a system of Registration of Interests, open to public access, with effective provisions to require compliance. |
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B03 |
Properly formulate and cost a plan for implementation of Registration of Interests system to cover additional persons in public life. |
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B04 |
Consider extension of Registration of Interests system to other public officials on an incremental basis. |
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B05 |
Amend the Constitutional Review Commission Terms of Reference to include making clear the circumstances in which a person seeking election to the House of Assembly, or a Member of the House, is required to declare interest in contracts with Government. |
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B06 |
Amend the Constitutional Review Commission Terms of Reference to include making clear whether the term “Government of the Virgin Islands” encompasses statutory bodies. |
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B07 |
Review welfare benefits and grants system. |
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B08 |
Cease House of Assembly Members’ and Government Ministries’ Assistance Grants. |
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B09 |
Reallocate assistance grants funds to Social Development Department for distribution. |
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B10 |
Review local district projects and develop open and transparent process for proper recording, assessment and monitoring of projects. |
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B11 |
Determine process for allocating grants for educational scholarships. |
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B12 |
Audit all grants made by House of Assembly Members for the last three years. |
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B13 |
Audit all four COVID-19 Assistance Programmes. |
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B14 |
Instructions given to begin criminal investigation of the obstruction of the Internal Auditor by the Premier’s Office related to COVID-19 Assistance Programmes. |
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B15 |
Instructions given to begin criminal investigation of the obstruction of Auditor General by Premier’s Office, related to COVID-19 Assistance Programmes. |
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B16 |
Consider amending the Audit Act to make a failure to cooperate with or otherwise impede Auditor General a criminal offence. |
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B17 |
Amend the Public Service Code and Service Commission Regulations to make failure to cooperate with the Auditor General or Internal Auditor an act of gross misconduct. |
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B18 |
Audit all major contracts in respect of major projects in the past three years. |
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B19 |
Amend Cabinet Paper Drafting Process to ensure that there are no associated contracts which together would trigger an open tender process, for all Government contracts and also Include Internal Audit’s opinion in all proposed tender waivers to Cabinet (Tender Waiver is no longer an option for contracts under the new Public Procurement Act and Regulations 2021 that came into force in September 2022). |
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B20a |
Instructions given to refer SCB Harbour Development project to be considered for criminal investigation. |
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B20b |
Instructions given to refer VI Neighbourhood Partnership Project to be considered for criminal investigation. |
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B21a |
Instructions given to continue criminal investigation into Elmore Stoutt High School Perimeter Wall Project |
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B21b |
Instructions given to continue criminal investigation into BVI Airways Project |
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B22 |
Audit all Claude Skelton-Cline Government contracts since 2019. |
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B23 |
Audit EZ Shipping-Government contracts concerning provision of radar barges since 2019. |
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B24 |
Review all Statutory Boards to determine overall level of governance and steps required to remedy any deficiencies. |
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B25 |
Review provisions under which statutory bodies are established and maintained. |
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B26 |
Consider the establishment of an overriding statute setting out framework for the establishment and maintenance of all statutory boards. |
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B27 |
Amend the Constitutional Review Commission Terms of Reference to include considering whether a Statutory Boards Commission should be responsible for selecting and revoking statutory board membership and monitoring internal policies and procedures. |
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B28 |
Develop Protocol for appointment and removal of statutory board members. |
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B29 |
Consider revoking any appointments to statutory boards made since 2019. |
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B30 |
Review processes for disposal of Crown Land. |
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B31 |
Audit all disposals of Crown Land over the last three years. |
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B32 |
Instructions given to refer the process for the disposing of parcel 310 of Block 2938B be considered for criminal investigation. |
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B33 |
Review processes for grant of residency and belonger status. |
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B34 |
Audit all applications for and grants of residency and belonger status under the Fast Track scheme. |
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B35 |
Drive forward Public Service Transformation Programme. |
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B36 |
Finalise Public Service Management Code or Act. |
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B37 |
Coordinate expenditure on training of public officers within the Department of Human Resources. |
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B38 |
Review law enforcement and justice systems. |
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B39 |
Vet all serving HM Customs and Immigration Department Officers. |
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B40 |
Investigate possible corruption within HM Customs. |
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B41 |
Consider ensuring RVIPF and other enforcement agencies have facilities and powers to prevent, monitor and detect crime. |
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B42 |
Review Criminal Procedure Rules to give courts modern case management powers. |
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B43 |
Consider revisions to Jury Act to increase size of jury pool and grant court wider powers to hear judge-only criminal trials. |
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B44 |
Build upon current initiatives for revising, consolidating and publishing in readily accessible form the laws of the BVI. |
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B45 |
Make arrangements for the Complaints Commissioner to report annually to Governor, Deputy Governor and House of Assembly. |
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OR |
Other reforms including reforming the electoral process including campaign finance and ensuring enhanced cooperation and oversight. |
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PrS |
Preparatory steps and other work required to action all Framework Recommendations |
| Attachment | Size |
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 revised_report_summary_-_march_2024.pdf | 136.09 KB |