Panton: Cayman needs to heed warning from BVI
(CNS): Premier Wayne Panton welcomed the news last week that the UK will not be suspending the constitution in the British Virgin Islands. The British government is giving the new coalition government time to address the issues the territory faces in the fallout from a corruption inquiry and the arrest of the former premier for drug trafficking in April. But as Panton addressed his colleagues in Parliament, he said they should take the opportunity to remind themselves of what can happen.
“We must remain ever vigilant, take nothing for granted and renew our own commitment to the
highest standards of governance and probity in public life,” the premier said.
Amanda Milling, the UK minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories, visited the BVI after the arrest of Andrew Fahie in Miami on drug charges and the publication of a damning report by a commission of inquiry, and there was an expectation that Britain was about to impose direct rule.
But the people of BVI lobbied hard against it, and their representatives rallied together to create the Government of National Unity, led by Dr Natalio Wheatley, which immediately set about addressing the issues. The House of Assembly voted to revoke Fahie’s premiership before swearing in the new coalition and Cabinet, then publicly committed to government reform and implementing the recommendations from the inquiry.
Panton said he joined a call last week with Milling and the other BOT leaders, during which the minister revealed that the UK would maintain the operation of the BVI constitution and continue representative democracy through the coalition government.
“This decision reflects a commitment to democracy and maintaining the dignity of the people of the British Virgin Islands by allowing the Government of National Unity to pursue the implementation of the governance recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry Report,” Panton said. He noted that Cayman had sent word to BVI that it was ready to help Wheatley’s government, welcoming his commitment to reform.
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Category: Caribbean, World News
““We must remain ever vigilant, take nothing for granted and renew our own commitment to the highest standards of governance and probity in public life,” the premier said.”
You do know that convicted criminal and woman-beater McKeeva Bush is part of that government don’t you Wayne?
You couldn’t make this stuff up.
You missed him adding “unless political expediency overrides other considerations.”
We should heed that BVI havent sold their country to highest bidders if that’s what you mean…..Caymanians are becoming second class in their own country….begging for “equal opportunity”.
Look ya, the Premier is acting like he is not in charge! Mr. Premier this falls in your lap to try to prevent. You also forgot to say that no matter what you will not sit by and allow the motherland to walk into our territory to take it over. You should have said that we will lobby just like the BVI did. Wha wrong with you man?
The pure fact that Wayne’s PACT government has had but one meeting only in Parliament in 2022 to manage the territories business should tell you a lot about what to expect for future governance here.
How about the guidance to not have the same person appointed to multiple boards and commissions?
How about the appointment of immediate family members of Ministers to boards?
Yup, I can think ok one board in particular…the board that suppose to be dealing with all the vendor permits for commercial vending on public lands, specifically seven mile beach. It’s an absolute disaster over there and plenty people have submitted their applications seeking permission from months ago yet not one vendor permit has been approved or disapproved and that board been around more than 2 years. Collecting govt revenue and making no decisions! Someone needs to report them to the ombudsman office for maladministration! And guess who’s the Public Land Commission chairman?….Premier’s brother in law. What a mess!
Ummm, maladministration is a crime and should be reported to the police. The Ombudsman does nothing anyway, by design.
The Police??? Who tells them what they can do?
Meanwhile, this gives the OTO time to observe Cayman!
Premier Panton. Right now we have court cases ongoing that appear to relate to at least two prison officers engaged in smuggling drugs into the prison, and an auxiliary police officer alleged to have threatened a witness in a murder investigation. The fact that each are imported foreign nationals is irritating, but unimportant. What is important is that many many months after relevant information was known, all appear to continue to be employed and receive significant benefits at substantial direct cost to the Caymanian people.
Are we to believe ineptitude is the reason for this, and multiple ongoing similar issues, or is the position in fact MUCH worse?
AND CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THE MORE EGGREGIOUS CABINET STATUS GRANTS?
Recent status grant or the massive ones by UDP in early 2000s?
BOTH!
Either corrupt or incompetent. In the end it really makes no difference.
Except how it is charged. Maladministration or Corruption? One or the other appears self evident at every turn.
And why is it NOT making a difference?????????????????
Like a broken record, I maintain an ongoing slogan, “Open Government Is Honest Government.”
That short and simple phrase carries a lot of weight in that the number one (#1) responsibility of the Cayman Islands Government is to Protect The People. With open government, there are no secrets as all government operations are available to the people. Not every function, memo, contract, or agreement, should be chronicled in public media. But it does mean that all documents are available to the public without cost when requested. Personnel matters, specific legal issues deemed confidential by the Courts, and documents such as official reviews, audits, and reports should not be released until complete and signed by the authorized body making the report.
You must be new here.
No, not new at all.
But I was trying to convey the fact that “Open Government” or “Government In The Sunshine” would provide a realistic and reasonable way to provide the public (which pays for Government, by the way) would be assured that it is working FOR the people.
Any truly honest politician should support and work toward this.
Truly honest politician? Do we have any?
We are definently using an oxymoron here!
Wayne Panton.
Marco Archer.
Winston Connolly.
Those 3 are honest.
Don’t mix Marco with those other 2!
You can add Andre Ebanks to that list.
Yeah, I agree, but where are you going to find the honest politician ?
Wow, Mr. Panton has awoken! I agree with you 1 million percent. However dear sir, please start with those in your immediate circle. As a matter of fact I do believe that you need to expand on your little rant and draw your line in the sand in your ” immediate circle” the word on the street, is not at all flattering. Also dear Sir, please remember that corruption comes in many schemes, not just drugs. Most times it is much more subtle. Blessings!
@2:30pm
I am 100% with you that corruption is not just drugs, kickbacks, etc. and all civil servants must take heed. Currently, there are civil servants breaking laws in many different ways. Some even in the name of “justice”.
Appointing convicted coke dealers as Ministers is probably not the best place to start. Just saying.
@2:28pm
I feel you. But people do change. I believe that we must learn to forgive and forget, as hard as that may be. Let’s give the man a fair opportunity at his job instead of judging him for his past mistakes. I am certain that you would like a fair chance also if you were in his shoes.
true, but I think he’s shown to be out of his depth.
Only if I could accessorize with one of those designer bags that in no way benefit the people of Cayman.
He has proven that he has not changed!
Still breaking laws but now does so believing he has some sort of immunity.
What about the Lodge?
While it’s easy Mr. Premier to state the obvious, it is much harder to have your Lodge Brethren release the strings they use to force their own agenda on Cayman. You are right to be most concerned as we are next in consideration for direct rule if the current rotten status quo continues. And besides, no doubt the NCA still have us under their microscope.
You need to lift all Covid restrictions now. Get Cayman back to some normalcy.
Dear Mr Premier can you tell Ms Eva Ebanks children bout the corruption here in Cbrac and how you intend to fix ? Oh please spare us PACT is just like ppm built on corrupt foundations that go back years .
If that’s what you believe, then report it to the Anti Corruption Commission.
I will do that when certain members stop playing dominoes with some of our most corrupt so called men of respect and political statesmen we keep worshipping! you feel Me!
Respected, as opposed to respect, you feel me.
Aren’t those the same people who never looked into why evidence and court records went missing?
Further explanation and citations/references, please.
Please stop with your citations and references – think everything here is recorded – citation and reference corruption!
Troll
Which warning Wayne Panton you obviously have not been reading this latest news on a CNS it’s already here old boy but you and others are apparently suffering from willful blindness and you had better wake up dear Mr Roper up from his all is well wet dream Utopia .There is Corruption issues here from the good old Drug trafficking days still running and influencing outcome and decisions today. Please spare us your patronizing speeech eh Bro tell that to your Lodge compadres still reminiscing in their cozy lazy Boyz in their million dollar homes . Can you imagine this man’s gall eh Cayman ?
Nice words Premier Panton but what are you going to do about it? You have control if you really want to fix things.
Nice words with no action is Premier’s MO.
The Mia Mottley of Cayman
You think Wayne has control? He cant even stop different arms of government going for judicial review against each other, or government ministries openly applying completely conflicting policy. Wayne gets to play at being Premier, but they do whatever the hell they like.
Sad, but true. Not too different from when Wayne was the President of the Caymanian Bar Association and did not call a meeting for a couple years. Thanks for absolutely nothing, sir.
Wayne is simply not a good leader. Peter Principle Premier.