Premier and Minister of Finance the Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, has announced the successful passage of the final Statutory Bodies legislation, marking a pivotal milestone in the Territory’s governance reform initiative.

Premier Wheatley said this significant achievement enhances accountability and transparency within public institutions and stands as a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to reform and good governance.

He added that the Statutory Bodies legislation, comprising five key bills, has received full approval from the House of Assembly (HOA) and signifies the completion of the legislative agenda set forth by the Commission of Inquiry (COI).

Premier Wheatley said, “I am pleased that the Government has now completed its part in implementing the recommendations of the COI as agreed in the Framework Agreement and as committed to the Overseas Territories Minister in London on 11 September. We are now just awaiting the bills to be assented to.”

The Statutory Bodies legislation joins five other bills pending assent, including the Public Service Management Bill and the Service Commissions Bill. The Public Service Management Bill requires assent for it to be launched, while the Service Commissions Bill must be assented to for the vetting of law enforcement officers to commence. With the assent of these two bills, the Government will fulfil all forty-eight recommendations outlined in the COI report.

The Premier added, “While the legislative agenda has been completed, six recommendations are still progressing through the necessary post-legislative processes required for them to become law.”

In addition to the three Bills awaiting assent, the Inquiries Bill 2024, and the Immigration and Passport Bill are also awaiting the Governor’s assent following their approval by the HOA. The Immigration and Passport Bill requires further amendments before it can be finalised while the Register of Interest Bill 2024 and the Parliamentary Commission for Standards Bill 2023, are still undergoing final review by the Attorney General's Chambers following committee sessions. These bills must then be returned to the Clerk of the HOA before being passed to the Governor for assent.

Two recommendations namely, Judge-Only trials, and amendments to the Criminal Procedure Rules, are being treated as medium- to long-term reforms. The Judge-Only trials is on hold pending constitutional negotiations, while the Criminal Procedure Rules is awaiting regional rules to be set by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Premier Wheatley stated that the Government remains focused on completing the remaining tasks in collaboration with the Attorney General's Chambers, the HOA, and the Governor. He said to further support these transformative reforms, a comprehensive Medium to Long Term Governance Reform Plan has been established, which includes an extensive education and awareness initiative for public officers and the wider community, alongside a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure that the reforms mandated by the COI are effectively implemented, monitored, and sustained.

The Premier expressed optimism that the post-legislative work would be completed in advance of Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty’s visit in early November, stating, “The accomplishments of the Government herald the most comprehensive and robust governance reform in the history of the Virgin Islands, and I will continue to advocate for the Order in Council being removed as an instrument of coercion.”

The Government of the Virgin Islands remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a transparent and accountable governance framework as part of a modern partnership with the United Kingdom, based on mutual trust, respect, and cultural understanding, which recognises the Virgin Island’s right to self-determination.