National Security Council contemplates help from the UK

TORTOLA:

GOVERNOR AUGUSTUS Jaspert has announced that he is considering whether more external assistance is need from the United Kingdom in order to tackle corruption in the territory.

The governor who is responsible for national security, made that statement during a media briefing, held earlier this week, to announce the territory’s quarter-billion-dollar cocaine seizure – the largest in the history of the territory.

“I am currently considering other forms of training and support from the UK, both immediate support that will enable us to conduct more effective border patrols and long-term capability building of our agencies. I cannot go into further details as this is still being discussed with NSC (National Security Council), but I will update as soon as appropriate.”

“These actions will help us protect the borders. But they need to be matched by actions to help protect against corruption. I believe that we have not done enough over the years to ensure that no kind of corruption can take place within our institutions in the territory,” he added.

CLEAR MESSAGE

The governor says that he believes that now is the time to send a clear message to potential perpetrators that the country is no place for crime or corruption.

To do so, he said robust legislative reform is needed in the territory to make institutions more transparent and to protect against persons abusing their positions.

“We urgently need the proposed legislation – an Integrity Commission, modernised Police Act, an Unexplained Wealth Order and other anti-corruption measures. I am pleased that these were included in my recent Speech from the Throne and hope that the Premier and members of the government, in light of this weekend’s developments, can move swiftly on this agenda and progress important governance legislation, which is now long overdue.”

The governor further said he will be doing all within his capacity to ensure that the BVI remains a safe place where the territory can continue to operate at the highest standards of integrity and governance.

“I will not allow BVI to become a place where serious organised crime plagues our communities or where crime and corruption plagues our institutions. BVI remains a safe place to be and a caring and kind community. For that, we are the envy of many. But we should not take this for granted or allow ourselves to become complacent,” Governor Jaspert said.

In September, after the territory had experienced an increase of reported smuggling, Governor Jaspert then made a request to the UK to have the British Royal Naval vessel HMS Medway deployed to help the local forces secure the territory’s borders.