Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley is encouraging residents of the Virgin Islands and nationals abroad to review the 2022-2023 Constitutional Review Commission Report before it is debated in the House of Assembly on Sept. 18.
The report, which reviews the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, was handed over to Governor John Rankin and Premier Wheatley on Nov. 27, 2023. It is the result of months of consultations with residents across the territory.
Key issues addressed in the report include the role of junior ministers, freedom of information, term limits for the premier, direct election of the premier, revisions to the at-large system, fixed House of Assembly schedules, management of Crown lands, human rights, cabinet reform, and fixed election dates.
“As Premier of the Virgin Islands, I want to reiterate the importance of everyone carefully reviewing the Constitutional Review Commission Report, and following the upcoming debate in the House of Assembly,” Wheatley said. “This report represents a critical step in the process of negotiating a new Constitution. It comes at a pivotal time in our development and we intend to seize the opportunity to advance our journey towards self-determination.”
The report is available on the Government of the Virgin Islands’ website and on the Commission’s site.
The debate will be broadcast live on Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. through the House of Assembly’s YouTube channel, the government’s Facebook page, ZBVI 780 AM, and other platforms.
