Embattled BVI leader Andrew Fahie has been replaced as premier of the British Overseas Territory, following a successful no confidence motion on Thursday.
His replacement, Natalio Wheatley, was sworn-in along with a new Cabinet following the vote in the island’s legislature.
“This swearing in ceremony represents another important and necessary step in the process of renewing our cherished democracy and reforming our institutions and systems of Government. It is my hope that this day will be remembered as the day that we began a new era of democratic governance in the Territory,” Wheatley said after taking his oath of office.
Fahie, 51, is facing drug trafficking and money laundering charges in the US after he was arrested during a sting operation at a Miami airport last week.
He was granted a $500,000 bond earlier this week when he appeared in court.
Fahie was also allowed to remain in Miami, but must be confined to the home rented by his two daughters and wear an ankle bracelet. He and his family are also required to surrender their passports, in addition to paying the bond.
On 13 May, Fahie returns to court, along with BVI Port Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard and her son Kadeem, all of whom were arrested at the Opa Locka Executive Airport following a six-month sting operation.
Wheatley and his new National Unity Government are facing a critical juncture, as the UK mulls imposing direct rule, which was the major recommendation coming out of a damning Commission of Inquiry report that found widespread corruption within the government.
This week, UK Overseas Territories Minister Amanda Milling met with various leaders on the issue saying everyone has “agreed that there needs to be significant changes in the BVI to improve governance”.
Though she did not say what the next steps will be, she stressed, there is an “urgent need to fix the systems, processes, laws and norms to ensure that money spent by the government – your money – is better spent on roads, education, hospitals and better public services and not misused as the COI has found”.
“We now have the opportunity to do this. To build a government that delivers for its people in a fair, transparent, and accountable way,” Milling added in her statement.
Reform a priority, says new premier
Since Fahie’s arrest, there has been political upheaval on BVI, from the issuing of an unauthorised letter endorsing diplomatic immunity for the fallen leader, to the resignations of House Speaker Julian Willock and Minister for Natural Resources Vincent Wheatley.
However, the new premier said the new government is looking forward to a much stronger relationship with Governor John Rankin in Cabinet as “we work together in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands and delivering on their priorities”.
The National Unity Government, he said, is fully committed to reform.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to be perfectly clear, our top priority is the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry report within a framework of democratic governance, and in close cooperation with the Governor and United Kingdom, our partners,” he said.
This implementation will require the creation of a separate body to support and advance the work involved, Wheatley said.
“There will have to be partnership between the Virgin Islands and United Kingdom to achieve the desired outcome of a model democracy whose institutions and systems of Government are robust and whose economy provides opportunities for everyone to make a decent living,” he added.
Wheatley said he was well aware that a decision has not yet been made by the United Kingdom on the report’s recommendation for a partial suspension of the Constitution.
“Nonetheless, we will continue to engage the Governor on how best the National Unity Government can work in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands to deliver reform. We are a willing partner and ready to take the process forward in partnership without delay,” he added.
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