The Government of the Virgin Islands is in the process of requesting additional time for the implementation of the COI Reforms from the Governor and the Overseas Territories Minister following notable concerns with delivering on the current deadlines.
Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio Wheatley made this disclosure in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, indicating that his government was, at this time, waiting for a response to a letter addressed to the aforementioned parties.
According to Dr Wheatley, there are 2 main reasons for a majority of the delays that have been associated with the reform process, the nature of which made them unavoidable.
The Premier noted further that the foundational document for this process, the Framework for the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and Other Reforms, was a significant factor in the hurdles of the process.
He lamented that the process of creating the framework was rushed to avoid possible constitutional disruption, giving way to a rushed process on which very high expectations have been placed.