The third House of Assembly is scheduled to begin the first sitting of its second session Thursday after proroguing in July, with an agenda that includes a Speech from the Throne by Governor John Duncan, the tabling of several departmental reports, and questions from the opposition on a wide variety of topics ranging from the Tortola Pier Park to the airport expansion project.

According to the order paper for the upcoming session, Opposition Leader Julian Fraser (R-D3) will request updates on BVI Airways, Prospect Reef, and the status of a $25 million line of credit from CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank that was approved in June.

He will also request an update on the rental spaces and the amount of rent collected at the Tortola Pier Park, as well as a broad report on National Health Insurance claims to date.

Opposition member Andrew Fahie (R-D1) is scheduled to request updates on the BVI Ports Authority’s repayment of an $8 million loan government moved from the East End/Long Look Sewerage project to the Pier Park.

He also plans on requesting broad updates on the total cost of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport expansion project; the cost, funding sources and projected completion date of the mini hospital project on Virgin Gorda; and details surrounding the unfinished wall project at the Elmore Stoutt High School.

In addition, he is scheduled to ask Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn (R-at large) several questions about the newly implemented Grade 12, including whether he’s willing to declare to the House that the implementation was “untimely and premature” given the current lack of physical accommodations and resources.

Premier Dr. Orlando Smith (R-at large) will move motions for the introductions and first readings of the Hotel Accommodation (Taxation) (Amendment) Act, 2016 and the Customs Management and Duties (Amendment) Act, 2016.

Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering (R-D7) will move a motion for the introduction and first reading of the Compulsory Retirement Age Act, 2016.

Both the Hotel and Compulsory Retirement acts were introduced at the HOA session in June, but they must get another first reading because the HOA was prorogued in July.

The premier will also move a motion for the HOA to accept lower interest rates on the $25 million line of credit from FirstCaribbean, which was renegotiated on Sept. 12, according to the order paper.

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