The Government of The Virgin Islands has completed nearly two out of every three actions under its Governance Reform programme.

This represents a pace of progress already translating into more transparent public assistance and Crown Lands processes, stronger accountability at statutory boards, and clearer rules for how public officers and elected officials serve the public.

The Territory is now close to more than a year into what stands as the most significant governance transformation in its history, shifting from the targeted implementation of the Commission of Inquiry’s 48 recommendations to a broader, permanent programme of institutional reform touching nearly every arm of Government.   

Permanent Secretary, Premier’s Office, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe said, “As of the most recent monitoring update, that effort has reached 63 per cent completion, with 95 of the 151 actions in the Governance Reform Implementation Action Plan (GRIAP) now complete.” Mrs. Stoutt Igwe added: “A further 36 actions are in progress and 6 are on track, while 48 have been flagged as late and 2 as at risk. As a government, we are tracking these figures closely as we work together as responsible public officers to bring outstanding items back on schedule.”

The Governance Reform Transition Plan (GRTP) was approved by Cabinet in 2025 and marks the transition from targeted implementation of the COI recommendations to broader and ongoing governance reform. The plan also integrates the recommendations of the independent reviews and assessments, advances medium and long-term institutional reforms and supports implementation of strengthened policies and legislation. Importantly, it establishes mechanisms to monitor, evaluate and refine reforms over time.

The Premier’s Office leads the coordination, monitoring and reporting of the GRIAP, supported by a Governance Reform Steering Committee of Permanent Secretaries and senior officials that meets monthly, while individual ministries, departments and Statutory Boards deliver the actions assigned to them. Seven progress reports have been submitted to Cabinet between June 2025 and July 2026.

Milestones include the roll-out of the Policy on Discretionary Powers, a new electronic Register of Interests system, public service–wide training on the Public Service Management Act, the establishment of a dedicated Social Protection Programme Unit, new public assistance feedback channels, an operational Crown Lands Advisory Board, a fully constituted Police Service Commission, and updated Criminal Procedure Rules gazetted for the Magistracy and Supreme Court in March 2026.

Permanent Secretary Stoutt Igwe said the Government of The Virgin Islands will continue an integrated, social media–driven public education campaign to assist residents in understanding what has changed, how it affects their lives, and how to access government services. She said this supports the wider goal of transforming the culture of governance in The Virgin Islands.

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The Premier’s Office provides strategic leadership and policy direction for the Government of The Virgin Islands and is responsible for advancing the Territory’s priorities in governance, constitutional development, external affairs and sustainable national development.