The Government of the Virgin Islands has missed the August 31 deadline set by His Excellency Governor Daniel Pruce for the completion of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) reforms, a key initiative aimed at enhancing governance and accountability within the territory.
Governor Pruce confirmed the missed deadline during a joint press conference on Friday, August 30, noting that while significant progress has been made, the reforms are not yet fully completed. Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley reported that 45 of the 48 recommendations had been completed, leaving three crucial recommendations still pending.
Despite the delay, Governor Pruce urged the Wheatley-led administration to maintain momentum and ensure the remaining reforms are swiftly finalized.
The governor emphasized the importance of not just completing the reforms but also implementing them effectively to ensure lasting improvements in governance. He provided examples during the press conference to underline the necessity of thorough implementation once the reforms are completed.
Governor Pruce expressed gratitude to the public servants who have been instrumental in advancing the COI reforms, acknowledging the significant achievements since the process began in 2022.
However, he also highlighted the work that remains, stressing the importance of seeing the process through to its conclusion.