The Commission of Inquiry called former Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn for a hearing on July 1 concerning an unfinished project to build a perimeter wall around Elmore Stoutt …
First VI Day celebrated quietly
With Virgin Islandsthemed balloons decorating tables, the territorial song playing from speakers, tarts and guavaberry rum being shared, and employees sporting T-shirts with popular sayings like “One hand can’t clap,” …
Governor notes issues with transparency
Although the Virgin Islands has in place measures to help ensure good governance, Governor John Rankin said they depend on officials having “full respect” for them — and during his …
145 graduate from ESHS
For youths graduating Elmore Stoutt High School last Thursday, the feat did not come easy. “We have worked for six long years,” said salutatorian Kaeli Alphonso, who gave an opening …
Lawmakers to get paid after leaving office
Legislators will continue to receive their full salary for at least two years after they leave office under a new law that they passed in May and Governor John Rankin …
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Ministers claim to ‘distrust’ United Kingdom
In a 33-page position statement to the Commission of Inquiry, Premier Andrew Fahie and his six ministers called for a “true partnership” between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom, …
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Ex-premier grilled on BVI Airways
Former Premier Dr. Orlando Smith told the Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday that he didn’t instruct his financial secretary to “show me the evidence” that the BVI Airways deal was …
House Speaker claims he never violated ROI act, but provides documents showing he filed late, incorrectly
After Commissioner of Inquiry Sir Gary Hickinbottom alleged that Speaker of the House Julian Willock had breached the Register of Interests Act all three years that he’s been in office, …
Customs and Immigration chiefs appear before Commission of Inquiry
Customs Commissioner Wade Smith and Chief Immigration Officer Ian Penn, the heads of the territory’s two biggest border enforcement agencies, sat before the Commission of Inquiry on June 23 and …
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Top cop tells Commission of Inquiry police force lacks trust, funds, and staff
During their appearances before the Commission of Inquiry on June 23, Police Commissioner Mark Collins and Director of Public Prosecutions Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit discussed their visions for addressing long-standing issues that …
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Active Covid-19 cases in the Virgin Islands jump to 13
On Monday, government reported 13 known active cases of Covid-19, up from two on June 15, and contact tracing efforts got under way even as officials prepared to welcome the …
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VG man found guilty of breaking cop car windshield
Following a trial on June 14, Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin found Elisha Barry guilty of possession of a controlled substance and criminal damage, charges that were laid after he was arrested …
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Nine arrests and no charges after fatal prison stabbing
Police arrested and interviewed nine inmates in connection to the May 30 altercation that led to the fatal stabbing of Nickail Chambers at Her Majesty’s Prison, but they had not …
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Speaker denies law breach, then changes tune
Early in his Friday hearing before the Commission of Inquiry, Speaker of the House Julian Willock categorically denied breaching the Register of Interests Act, 2006, which requires House of Assembly …
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HOA approves next step for med school
In what legislators described as a major milestone for establishing a medical school in the territory, the House of Assembly unanimously passed a resolution last Thursday allowing an Ireland-based medical …
HOA okays new loan to pay old hospital debt
House of Assembly members unanimously voted last Thursday to approve a new $17.3 million five-year loan agreement with Republic Bank that will pay off the remaining balance of a $45 …
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More seaports open to vaccinated travellers
In an effort to further boost tourism, government announced Friday that fully vaccinated international travellers can now enter through three more seaports. Since travel opened to international ferry passengers in …
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HOA okays bill for contract watchdog
In a move that legislators said was part of a larger push for governance reform, the House of Assembly passed a law that will establish a watchdog appointed by the …
Whistleblower bill passes through HOA
The long-promised Whistleblower Act 2021 will include incentives for people who provide information about wrongdoing and consequences for anyone who deliberately makes false allegations, legislators said last Thursday before passing …
During Commission of Inquiry hearings, Attorney General lists staffing and budget woes
On Tuesday, Attorney General Dawn Smith and Opposition Member Julian Fraser appeared before the Commission of Inquiry and fielded questions about the challenges to good governance in the Virgin Islands. …
Legislators’ interests declared late, or not at all
Concluding hearings for the first of six major topics it plans to investigate this summer, the Commission of Inquiry called legislators from the present and past to answer for their …
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COI calls former legislators
Besides questioning current members of the House of Assembly over the past week, the Commission of Inquiry also called former members as it sought information about elected officials’ interests. Like …
Cabinet Briefs (May 28 and June 2, 2021)
Governor John Rankin chaired Cabinet meetings on May 28 and June 2 at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room. Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye Rymer was absent on May …
$1 million approved for stopgap court work
Cabinet recently approved the allocation of almost $1,100,000 over the next two years for temporary measures to address long-standing issues in the criminal justice system that have resulted in a …
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Renewable imports to be tax-free for two years
Starting July 1, government will eliminate all import duties on any renewable energy product for a period of two years, according to a recently published summary of the May 28 …
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