The arrest of the British Virgin Islands’ Premier, Mr Andrew Fahie, on drug trafficking and money laundering charges, came as a surprise to most of us in the region because we admired his strong leadership – and his resistance to the pressures and demands brought on him and the British Virgin Islanders by the British Government.
We were aware, for some time now, that a Commission of Inquiry (COI) was being undertaken in the BVI, and Mr Fahie, in previous utterances, professed that he did not object to such an inquiry taking place.
However, upon his arrest last Thursday, things began to unfold very quickly. By the next day, the citizens of the BVI, and the world, were informed that the COI was completed and that the report was quite damning.
Findings in the report indicated that there were multiple issues of grave concern and, consequently, stringent measures were recommended to address them, in short order.
One of the recommendations outlined in the COI report, called for a “partial suspension of the BVI’s Constitution and direct rule by the UK for at least two years,” according to Dr Natalio Wheatley, former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and now Acting Premier. This would mean the dissolution of the current House of Assembly.
The removal of the BVI’s current Elected Parliamentary Government, as the statutory and governing body of the islands’ affairs, would lead to direct rule over the islands by the British government. An Advisory Committee would be appointed by Britain to advise the Governor as the governing authority over the islands’ affairs.
The recommendation and its approach would be similar to one implemented in the Turks and Caicos Islands some years ago. However, in the case of the BVI, the residents quickly started an active protest movement in the streets of the capital – Roadtown – in a show of solidarity declaring their displeasure and unacceptance of the recommendation to suspend their Constitution and be subjected to direct British rule.
As a region, there has been much outcry objecting to any such “backward measures” being brought against the people of the BVI by the British government. While the outcry is commendable and necessary, the context should give individual British Overseas Territories reason to pause and ensure that their own ‘house is in order’.
The Acting Premier, Dr Natalio Wheatley, has made certain statements in the BVI acknowledging that, as a government, they have “made many mistakes”, recognise that there are many things to be “sorted out”, are going to “fix” those things post haste, and provide British Virgin Islanders the “level of leadership that they desire” and rightly deserve.
As a region, we all might need to consider the state of affairs with regard to the current governance of own islands, as many of them have also incurred similar accusations and allegations such as those which prompted the BVI’s Commission of Inquiry. Many of the islands have been accused of having elected governments, statutory bodies, and public companies/organisations that make questionable judgments – judgments related to proper financial and business accounting practices, corporate ethics and management, board appointments, nepotism, transparency, checks and balances, etc.
While the British government is observant of the BOT’s – including Anguilla’s – governance and management systems, it has not seen it necessary to do anything about our Constitution and day-to-day operations – as yet. At this time of introspection and reflection, we need to recognise that in order to avert any such strong-arm interventions by the British Government, we ought to be professional and transparent in all our dealings and interactions, and ensure that everything is done above board and that “we come to the table with open, clean and empty hands.”
If we in Anguilla address the issues that plague our systems and have the potential to trigger a Commission of Inquiry. We should have no fear of British Intervention. However, we must do all we can to address the issues now.
As our neighbour’s house is burning, we must drench our own. We must make sure that our water trucks are full and ready to come to the scene and put out the embers that can spark a similar fire – when/if Anguilla’s crisis comes to a rise. We have an obligation to ourselves as responsible and fiduciary governing bodies, and to the people of our island home – Anguilla.
As black people, we are already viewed by some groups as corrupt and dishonest. We don’t have to engage in unscrupulous practices and prove them right. We don’t have to fall by the wayside as untrustworthy stewards. This is our opportunity to put Anguilla’s house in order while the BVI is trying to do the same.
Perhaps we could take a glimpse at the BVI’s road map, take note of what things brought them to the point of a threatened take over, and fix those “things” in Anguilla – that a COI would deem to be broken – now. By taking this pro-active step, we could avoid embarrassing ourselves and focus on delivering an optimum environment and benefits to the people of Anguilla.
Let’s all remain vigilant and ensure that Anguilla does not walk down the same path that the BVI took. Hopefully, they are learning from their mistakes. Let us in Anguilla learn from them – as well and put our house in order before it is too late and our house goes up in flames.
