Only $10 million of the government’s $100 million loan from CIBC Caribbean bank has been drawn down so far, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. That $10 million was made …
Walwyn resurrects no-confidence vote
For the first time under Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn, the opposition has renewed its attempts to topple Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s government through a no-confidence vote. The vote Mr. Walwyn …
EDITORIAL: WE ferry terminal bid flop raises troubling questions
We have often used this space to praise the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency for consistently getting projects done on time and on budget. Last month, however, we were …
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EDITORIAL: Our hopes are high for RDA roadwork
The government’s recent decision to scale down the territory’s urgently needed road-reconstruction plans may seem like bad news, but we would argue that more realistic ambitions are better public policy. …
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West End port bids dwarf budget
After more than 15 years of broken promises and false starts, the future of the long-delayed West End ferry terminal has been thrown into serious doubt once again after private-sector …
EDITORIAL: Government must stop backpedaling on airport transparency
We fear we spoke too soon. Last November, we praised the Virgin Islands government for preliminary steps that should have boosted transparency surrounding the proposed expansion of the Terrance B. …
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Confidence vote could be delayed to next year after gov’t walkout
A no-confidence vote the opposition has been pushing for more than two months may now be delayed until as late as next March following a government walkout last week in …
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Trellis Bay centre to be ready soon
Government ministers provided updates on hurricane recovery projects, Jost Van Dyke public works, the Belle Vue gym and other efforts in response to questions from the opposition during the Oct. …
Study probes cruise sector in region
A preliminary economic study examining the cruise industry’s impacts in the Caribbean will be presented this week at a conference in St. Maarten, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye …
Bidders to visit site of planned West End port today
Thanks to a recent green light from the Caribbean Development Bank, the procurement process for the construction of a new West End ferry terminal is moving ahead following years of …
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A $13 million mistake
In the 2024 Budget Address last November, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced a Cabinet decision to include about $10 million in this year’s budget to ensure that all public …
In a first, Virgin Islands hosts regional ‘Airport Day’
Airport concessions and service development were on the agenda when airport regulators and industry executives from across the Caribbean gathered last week at Maria’s by the Sea Hotel for the …
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Guv’s inquiry bill sparks cries of ‘dictatorship’
On Tuesday in the House of Assembly, two legislators used the word “dictatorship” to decry a bill that Governor Daniel Pruce is proposing to modernise the Commission of Inquiry Act …
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Crown land legislation passes with amendments
After six days in closed-door committee, the House of Assembly passed a law on Monday that aims to provide a transparent framework for the acquisition, management and disposal of crown …
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First week of hurricane season brings floods
The first week of the Atlantic Hurricane Season brought heavy rains that caused landslides, power outages and flooding across much of the territory. On June 5-6, some 9.5 inches fell …
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Cruise executives promise more calls
Government has continued to embrace record-breaking cruise tourism numbers, giving cruise lines no “indication that they have reached their limit” in the territory, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye …
EDITORIAL: 38-mile road project should go to the RDA
Gaping potholes. Undermined asphalt. Broken speedbumps. Missing guardrails. Given the deplorable state of the territory’s roads, we don’t have to tell Virgin Islands drivers about the urgent need for the …
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Rymer refuses to name licensed taxi drivers
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer drew fire from the opposition during a recent House of Assembly meeting for refusing to provide the names of the drivers who were issued …
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Flooding closes schools, offices
As much as five inches of rain fell in parts of the Virgin Islands Tuesday afternoon, tearing apart recently paved roads, flooding several businesses and the Elmore Stoutt High School, …
No cap on cruise visitors despite rapid rise
Cruise ship passenger arrivals are expected to hit a new record this year and then continue climbing, but no upper limit has been set, according to Communications and Works Minister …
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$1.8 million to help fix worst roads
While government continues to consider the lone bid of about $37 million for 38 miles of roadwork across the territory, $1.8 million has been allocated to carry out remedial works …
Homeowners promised solar option
The BVI Electricity Corporation is implementing an initiative to bring solar energy to more Virgin Islands households, Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer announced during a press conference last Thursday. …
Burt Point sewage plant back online
The Burt Point sewage treatment plant is operational again for the first time since it sustained major damage during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Extensive repairs on the facility were completed …
HOA votes to up penalties for withholding stats
As part of efforts to help government collect information as the census continues, lawmakers have passed a bill designed to impose harsher penalties on people who withhold statistics they are …
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Property tax, buildings bills passed in HOA
The property tax and buildings bills were among legislation passed in House of Assembly this week. The Property Tax (Amendment) Bill 2023, which passed with amendments on March 5, is …
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