Government will not forget recovery from Irma and Maria
As the BVI moves to begin the two-year process of implementing the Commission of Inquiry recommendations, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said his government will not abandon the progress made during the territory’s recovery process from hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Instead, Dr Wheatley said his government will have to balance the implementation of both projects.
Speaking at a recent press conference, the Premier noted that his government must reprioritise efforts, which is why he appreciates the strong partnership between the BVI, the United Kingdom, and Governor John Rankin.
“We made reform (COI recommendations implementation) our top priority and I believe the Governor has mentioned this before. But it does not mean we do not want to see our healthcare system continue to work and thrive for the people of the Virgin Islands. It does not mean that we do not want to see schools rebuilt in the territory. So, it is going to be a balancing act,” Dr Wheatley said.
We are going to have to do what we must do to deliver a timely reform. We have public servants that will be committed to that task to ensure that we meet the deadline [of implementing the proposed reforms of the COI] and ensure that finances are available,” the Premier continued.
He noted that in some instances, some projects must be discontinued or postponed; ensuring finance is available for the reform proposal.
“There will have to be a reprioritisation effort where we go through and see what continues and what is something that can wait until we implement these reforms. It is going to be a balancing act and it is going to be difficult,” Dr Wheatley said.
“As I said before, some people are going to be affected by the reprioritisation exercise that we have but in the end, it is all going to be in the best interest of the Virgin Islands,” he added.
Speaking at a recent press conference, the Premier noted that his government must reprioritise efforts, which is why he appreciates the strong partnership between the BVI, the United Kingdom, and Governor John Rankin.
“We made reform (COI recommendations implementation) our top priority and I believe the Governor has mentioned this before. But it does not mean we do not want to see our healthcare system continue to work and thrive for the people of the Virgin Islands. It does not mean that we do not want to see schools rebuilt in the territory. So, it is going to be a balancing act,” Dr Wheatley said.
We are going to have to do what we must do to deliver a timely reform. We have public servants that will be committed to that task to ensure that we meet the deadline [of implementing the proposed reforms of the COI] and ensure that finances are available,” the Premier continued.
He noted that in some instances, some projects must be discontinued or postponed; ensuring finance is available for the reform proposal.
“There will have to be a reprioritisation effort where we go through and see what continues and what is something that can wait until we implement these reforms. It is going to be a balancing act and it is going to be difficult,” Dr Wheatley said.
“As I said before, some people are going to be affected by the reprioritisation exercise that we have but in the end, it is all going to be in the best interest of the Virgin Islands,” he added.
