New Governor takes Oath of Office

“Mr. Thomas Townley Macan, you have arrived!” were the words of Chief Minister the Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal as he officially welcomed the BVI’s new Governor during the swearing in ceremony Monday morning.

Governor Macan arrived here Friday October 11th to take up the post, replacing former Governor Frank Savage, who left here October 4th after a four-year stint.

Unlike his predecessor, Governor Macan did not wear the white colonial uniform, plume hat and sword at his swearing in ceremony. Chief Minister O’Neal said he was pleased to see that that uniform, which he called “the relics of imperialism”, is gone.

“On behalf of the government and people of the British Virgin Islands, I welcome you and Mrs. Macan to this territory with an open mind and extend to you both best wishes for a very happy sojourn here with us,” Hon. O’Neal began. “I hope that the sentiments expressed here today as you assume your governorship would be still there when you get ready to leave these shores.”

The BVI leader said he hoped the new Governor would get to visit the sister islands and the villages of Tortola very soon and become acquainted with the island’s peoples. “You have had several briefings before arriving in the territory; you will also have your close advisors. But I would suggest that you also do a lot of listening and deciphering as you travel around.”

He said he has been working with Administrators, Commissioners and Governors since 1949 and has therefore had the opportunity to watch them carefully. “I can assure you…that my government will be frank with you and will not bluff you.”

He pointed out that he questioned the religion of the new Governor before he arrived and was relieved to learn that he was not an atheist. He said this is one of the reasons why all Chief Ministers of the United Kingdom dependencies would like to have some input into the selection of a Governor, “as we would not tolerate anyone…who would have no regard or respect for our customs and our culture.”

The BVI Chief Minister told the new Governor that whatever is past is past and we must now forge ahead to a better BVI. “We greet you with no bitterness, no rancour, no vindictiveness and we hope that in the spirit of mutual cooperation, there will be reciprocity.”

Chief Minister O’Neal told the new Governor that he has not been sworn in to govern a set of rural peasants, but a people who are prepared to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. He spoke of the history of the British Virgin Islands, coming through a period of hard times to a stage where the territory is now recognized by the officialdom.

He recalled dialoguing with the new Governor in London about the closeness of the relationship between the BVI and the neighbouring United States Virgin Islands. He suggested that along with continuing to foster this relationship, he takes it further and include Puerto Rico, with which the BVI has quite a large trade.

The BVI leader also pointed out that there are nationals of several countries living in harmony and peace in and making a significant contribution to the BVI. Being constitutionally responsible for law and order, he said he expects the Governor to play his part in continuing to foster this relationship.

He told the new Governor that he would have some tough decisions to make, including the replacement of Deputy Governor Elton Georges when he shortly announces his retirement.

In addition, the Chief Minister drew attention to what he called a wedge that is being pushed between the duly democratically elected Representatives of the people and some senior civil servants. “This is one of the problems you will meet and this wedge has got to be removed and again you can rely on our support.”

He also touched on the pillars of the BVI economy, international finance and tourism, and said he hoped the Governor would do his part to encourage investors. He invited His Excellency to go with him on a mission to the Far East to promote the British Virgin Islands.

In his remarks, Leader of the Opposition Dr. the Hon. Orlando Smith said he hoped that God would give the new Governor the wisdom and the inspiration to be always effective and well balanced in carrying out his responsibilities on behalf of Her Majesty and in keeping with the constitution of the Virgin Islands. “If you must err, so to speak, I need not tell you on whose side it should be.”

He pointed out that the BVI is one of the most vibrant and prosperous in the Eastern Caribbean, because of its people’s resilience and determination to adhere to the principles of democracy and good governance.
“As a country, we continue to evolve economically and constitutionally…right at the start, we will be bold enough to ask you to be a part of that process insofar as your mandate will allow you to,” Dr. Smith stated.

He noted Governor Macan’s background as Head of the Training Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He said this singularly qualifies him to deal with the many challenges of the civil service.
“We welcome this, for the challenges are many,” the Opposition Leader declared. He said he hopes that as Head of the Civil Service, His Excellency would move immediately to restore that sense of security, confidence and professionalism that has been eroded for one reason or another.

In his response, His Excellency Governor Thomas Macan said he hoped he would match up to what is expected of him. He gave Chief Minister O’Neal credit for the improved relationship between the BVI and the United Kingdom and said he looked forward to working with him and the Legislative Council to ensure this continues.

“I am very conscious that I have a lot to learn…and my prime task during my first months is to get to know the people in the various islands,” Governor Macan said.

He said as a newcomer, he salutes the success of the BVI over the years and hopes he would be able to contribute to its continued progress. But he pointed out that success often brings with it its own problems. He said the territory would need to continue to be robust in tackling the global economic scourges if we are to avoid damage to the economy and society.

“The constitution gives your Governor specific responsibilities for some of those very difficult areas and if I am to discharge them effectively, I need both the support of the people of these islands and the resources to staff and develop our public services,” Governor Macan stated.

Mentioning the forthcoming work of the Constitutional Commission, the new Governor said he would welcome the debate about reducing the powers of the Governor. He noted that the UK government maintains that the Overseas Territories would remain British for as long as they wish.

Governor Macan conveyed Foreign Secretary Jack Straw’s admiration for the BVI’s success and his hope that this should continue. He said the Foreign Secretary also expects the highest standards of honesty and a commitment to the rooting out of any corruption.

And referring to his dress for the occasion, the new Governor said times have rolled on for the better. The 1999 White Paper had suggested that the trappings of a uniform had indeed become a colonial relic irrelevant to the Governor’s modern day role.

“I am glad that the BVI government endorsed that view; I’m sorry if it will make the Queen’s Birthday Parade less colourful, but I do believe it’s a tiny indicator of the way in which the relationship is being modernized,” he concluded.