Just last week, Governor John Rankin launched a series of criminal investigations into suspected wrongdoings committed across various government projects over the years and into possible corruption that may have taken place in some government departments.

Amongst those investigations are probes into the Premier’s Office, the Sea Cows Bay Harbour Development project and the Elmore Stoutt High School wall project.

Those investigations are in keeping with recommendations put forward by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report which was released a few weeks ago.

“We don’t want to preempt the investigations, we’ll see where the investigations lead and certainly, if the investigations say that someone should not continue in a particular post, of course we have to hold each other accountable,” Dr Wheatley said at a recent press conference.

Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Dr Carolyn O’Neal Morton has since been sent on leave to facilitate one of the investigations launched by the governor.

Statutory boards to be reconstituted

Meanwhile, Dr Wheatley indicated his government’s strong commitment towards enhancing the principles of good governance under his administration.

When asked whether there will be more shake-ups across statutory boards similar to what obtained with the BVI Ports Authority Board, the Premier responded that the boards will be reconstituted based on the COI‘s recommendations.

“We’re going to be looking at boards, we’re going to make sure that the boards are constituted in a way where the persons on the boards are qualified to ensure that they represent specific needs, [and] skillsets which are needed on the board,” Dr Wheatley stated.

He said persons can expect more changes to come and expressed that there will be difficult discussions that will be had along the way.

Premier Wheatley argued that these decisions have to be taken if the transition is to be made to where the BVI needs to be.