Efforts are underway to obtain the resignation of embattled British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie and formally appoint acting Premier Natalio D. Wheatley in his stead ahead of Monday’s UK direct rule meetings with Overseas Territories Minister Amanda Milling.
“This would facilitate the smooth advancement of the process,” Wheatley said in an address to the nation late Saturday night, as he announced that the Congress of the Virgin Islands Party unanimously voted that he assume the mantle of chairman of the party.
“All my elected colleagues in the government have expressed their support and confidence in me and we have all reiterated our commitment to working together in the best interests of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands people,” he said in a televised address following the party’s meeting Saturday evening.
Fahie, together with BVI Port Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard and her son Kadeem, were arrested on Thursday 26 April in a DEA drug bust at a Florida airport after allegedly finalising a multi-billion dollar trafficking and money laundering scheme.
They have since appeared in a South Florida court and were remanded to custody to reappear for a pre-trial detention hearing for Wednesday, 4 May, and a preliminary hearing for 13 May.
The Cayman Compass has reached out to Fahie’s attorney for comment and are awaiting a reply.
No formal statement has been issued from the premier since his arrest.
Wheatley said he was ready to assume the top post at this critical juncture.
“We recognize that given the practical realities of the current premier’s situation, it is incumbent that steps be taking to have a new premier substantively appointed to this critical constitutional post,” he said in the televised address.
“The Virgin Islands has several pressing issues requiring urgent and devoted attention not the least of which is the discussions with the United Kingdom on the Commission of Inquiry recommendation and this requires leadership on the ground.”
On Friday, BVI Governor John Rankin released the final report of commission of inquiry into corruption allegations in the BVI government. It recommended UK direct rule for two years after finding widespread corruption in almost all sectors.
Wheatley, addressing the report’s findings, reiterated the VIP position that direct rule is not an option for the BVI people.
“We will be communicating our position to the Honorable Minister that direct rule is not an acceptable option to us. Direct rule would undermine all the progress that our people have made over generations from the struggles by our ancestors since 1950 with the restoration of the legislature of these islands and the positive and noble achievements of our people over the last 70 years in which we have governed ourselves,” he said.
“Together, we as a people will get through this,” he said, ahead of what is set to be a challenging round of discussions.
He argued that direct rule will erode the right and ability of the people of the Virgin Islands to elect their legislators and representatives, who are their voices in the democratic process of governance.
“If anything, any action taken must move the Virgin Islands forward, not backward. We have the strong belief that the people of the Virgin Islands are capable of working collaboratively with the United Kingdom to implement agreed recommendations of the COI report. We are preparing proposals towards this end,” he said.
Wheatley said he was aware of plans for residents to voice their displeasure with any move towards direct rule, however that residents “remain calm, united and focused”.
“I appreciate and respect the rights of citizens to freedom of assembly and expression,” he said.
“I also believe that whatever decisions are to be made going forward must consider the input and views of the people who will be most directly affected the people of the Virgin Islands and I encourage persons to use reasonable measures to ensure that they are involved in the conversation and that their views are heard on these very important matters.”
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Mr Wheatley lives in a dream world, the recent three arrests hardly qualify as “the progress our people have made over generations”. Intervention is the only option at this point, self government can only return after all the bad apples are identified and banned from office.