Governor John Rankin chaired virtual Cabinet meetings held July 16 and July 28. All members were present except Attorney General Dawn Smith, who was on annual leave, according to a …
Pipe laid as EE sewerage project starts
The Covid-19 pandemic has hampered numerous infrastructure projects in the territory by causing raw material shortages, delaying supply shipments, and limiting working hours. But progress nevertheless has been made, including …
Demolition progresses at admin complex
Demolition and waterproofing work has progressed at the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex this year despite complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye …
7 of 9 community centres not ready for storms
Most of the territory’s community centres are not yet fully repaired nearly four years after Hurricane Irma, though two are now ready to serve as emergency shelters following completion of …
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Airport development fund in spotlight
The BVI Airports Authority development fund has been tapped for various uses in recent years, including multiple consultancies costing hundreds of thousands of dollars as well as investments in equipment …
Cabinet Briefs (July 14 and 21, 2021)
Governor John Rankin chaired online Cabinet meetings on July 14 and 21. All members were present except Attorney General Dawn Smith, who was on personal leave, according to a summary …
All schools allowed to bring back students
The new academic year is fast approaching, and government announced this week that all private and public schools will be permitted to have students return for in-person instruction. The recent …
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National Parks Trust marks 60 years
What began as a volunteer-led effort to protect the environment in the 1960s grew over the decades into a professionally staffed organisation in charge of managing 21 national parks, restoring …
New USVI-based health services chair approved
During an emergency meeting on July 29, the House of Assembly approved the appointment of a new BVI Health Services Authority Board chairman, Moleto Smith Jr., who is based in …
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Fans cheer on history-making Olympic finalists
Though most August Emancipation Festival activities were cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, residents joined in a celebration of national pride on Aug. 3 with a motorcade honouring …
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Cabinet Briefs (July 5 and July 8, 2021)
Governor John Rankin chaired an online special Cabinet meeting on July 5 and an online meeting on July 8. All members were present except Premier Andrew Fahie and Attorney General …
Gambling law, 17 others take effect
Laws on gambling, consumer protection, digital security and other matters recently got the go-ahead from Premier Andrew Fahie and Governor John Rankin, who brought 18 acts into force this month. …
Officials: Ministry was aware of ESHS wall overruns
The Elmore Stoutt High School perimeter wall project, which has been investigated extensively by the Commission of Inquiry in recent months, was the focus of the last two hearings the …
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August Festival events postponed
Last year’s August Emancipation Festival was marked with a mashup of virtual and in-person events featuring live-streamed musical showcases and poetry competitions as well as small traditional markets and food …
Cabinet Briefs (May 28 addendum and June 23, 2021)
Governor John Rankin chaired a June 23 Cabinet meeting with all members present at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room in Pasea, according to a summary provided by the Cabinet …
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Clerk: HOA was ‘overwhelmed’ with Covid applications
The Commission of Inquiry called House of Assembly Clerk Phyllis Evans to testify on July 14, asking her why incomplete applications for pandemic aid were accepted, how ministers decide who …
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COI probes Sea Cows Bay harbour project
To investigate claims of overspending, potential conflicts of interest, and a lack of oversight on the unfinished Sea Cows Bay Harbour Development Project, the Commission of Inquiry called opposition member …
VG graduates focus on sustainable future
Even though the territory is seeing some of its strictest social distancing measures since the beginning of the pandemic, the students and staff of Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division …
Inquiry hearings on hold for now
After securing a six-month extension to submit the Commission of Inquiry’s report to Governor John Rankin, Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom announced on July 14 that his team would pause the …
IRU, COI square off on ‘disorganised’ evidence
The Commission of Inquiry held a directions hearing on July 8 to address what Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom called the “disorganised and unhelpful” disclosure of documents from the government’s Inquiry …
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Inquiry team reviews procurement process
The territory’s procurement rules are “lacking” in areas like accountability and transparency, but the government is working on legislative reform designed to tackle this problem, Ministry of Finance Projects Director …
Caricom backs VI government over COI
Heads of government from the Caribbean Community said last week that the organisation continues to support the Virgin Islands government as the United Kingdom-led independent Commission of Inquiry into possible …
Cabinet Briefs (June 9 and 16, 2021)
Governor John Rankin chaired Cabinet meetings on June 9 and June 16 at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room in Pasea. All members were present at both meetings. Many of …
COI interrogates former premier on belongership
The Commission of Inquiry questioned former Premier Dr. Orlando Smith last week about belongerships that Cabinet allegedly awarded improperly just before the start of his 2011- 2019 tenure as premier. …
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Guv okays bills to deter financial crime
Six bills designed in large part to deter financial crime took effect recently after receiving assent from Governor John Rankin. The Proliferations Financing (Prohibition) Act, 2021, passed in the House …