ADDITIONAL POWERS TO BE TEMPORARY IF GRANTED – ASSURES GOVERNOR

His Excellency Governor John Rankin has assured residents that his requested additional powers will be specific to the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations and a temporary enactment if approved.

Governor Rankin provided further clarity on the details relating to his request that was sent to the United Kingdom Government.

While admitting that the decision was solely left to the United Kingdom Government, Rankin sought to outline at least three of the additional powers that might be considered, which include giving the governor the authority to introduce legislation inside the House of Assembly.

Governor Rankin also spoke about having more power within the public service.

Another critical area mentioned by Governor Rankin is increased power in the procurement process of issuing government contracts.

The outgoing governor said that issuing a governor of an overseas territory such constitutional powers is not new to British Overseas Territories as he referenced an example in the Cayman Islands.