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Government decisions intended to help residents are taking too long to reach implementation, if they happen at all, First District Representative Dr Karl Dawson has warned.
Speaking recently in the House of Assembly, Dawson described a troubling gap between political will and delivery through the public service, despite meetings and initiatives involving the Governor’s and Deputy Governor’s offices.
“There still is too much of a gap between the established political will, the decisions that have been taken that will help people, and their actual implementation,” he said.
Dawson identified bureaucracy, human resources and customer service as areas requiring attention, arguing that decisions served little purpose without timely action.
“It does not serve any good purpose when conscious decisions are taken as to what should be done as far as the territory is concerned, but it’s so long, if at all, those things are actually implemented,” he said.
He said the Government was pursuing changes through both policy and constitutional reform.
“Some of these things we are addressing through policy, some of these things we are seeking to address through the constitutional review and a new Constitution,” Dawson stated.
His concerns echo those raised by a Virgin Gorda resident at a Ninth District public meeting last month. The resident accused some public officers of obstructing government initiatives and treating their authority as greater than that of ministers. He also complained of lengthy waits for routine services, while acknowledging that elected representatives still bore responsibility.
The Virgin Islands is seeking greater control over the public service through constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom. Responsibility currently rests with the Governor, and the proposed transfer has prompted concerns about political victimisation.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley previously maintained that accountability should centre on performance and whether officers implement government policy. He said political loyalties should not determine their treatment, while supporting action against deliberate obstruction.
Dawson called for a collective effort to improve delivery and secure a standard of living residents could be satisfied with.
Speaking recently in the House of Assembly, Dawson described a troubling gap between political will and delivery through the public service, despite meetings and initiatives involving the Governor’s and Deputy Governor’s offices.
“There still is too much of a gap between the established political will, the decisions that have been taken that will help people, and their actual implementation,” he said.
Dawson identified bureaucracy, human resources and customer service as areas requiring attention, arguing that decisions served little purpose without timely action.
“It does not serve any good purpose when conscious decisions are taken as to what should be done as far as the territory is concerned, but it’s so long, if at all, those things are actually implemented,” he said.
He said the Government was pursuing changes through both policy and constitutional reform.
“Some of these things we are addressing through policy, some of these things we are seeking to address through the constitutional review and a new Constitution,” Dawson stated.
His concerns echo those raised by a Virgin Gorda resident at a Ninth District public meeting last month. The resident accused some public officers of obstructing government initiatives and treating their authority as greater than that of ministers. He also complained of lengthy waits for routine services, while acknowledging that elected representatives still bore responsibility.
The Virgin Islands is seeking greater control over the public service through constitutional negotiations with the United Kingdom. Responsibility currently rests with the Governor, and the proposed transfer has prompted concerns about political victimisation.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley previously maintained that accountability should centre on performance and whether officers implement government policy. He said political loyalties should not determine their treatment, while supporting action against deliberate obstruction.
Dawson called for a collective effort to improve delivery and secure a standard of living residents could be satisfied with.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
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