"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
As the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference approaches in Brazil this November, the Virgin Islands government is rushing to tackle long-delayed reforms needed to prepare the territory for a …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Climate-change progress must accelerate”
Shortly after the April 2023 general election, the six House of Assembly members then on the opposition talked a good game. Promising to work closely together to hold the government …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: A fractured opposition won’t get the job done”
After regulators’ surprise announcement on May 29 that they had begun winding down the Bank of Asia, we urged leaders to be fully transparent about the crisis by keeping the …
We were shocked to hear Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn claim convincingly last week that the government deposited more than $5 million in Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited at a time …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Gov’t must explain $5m Bank of Asia deposit”
We applaud the premier’s ongoing push to reduce the Virgin Islands’ dependence on trade with the United States. He should keep it up, working to ensure that his efforts translate …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Trade missions are a good idea”
After three long years, two conflicting narratives have emerged about the Commission of Inquiry reforms. On one extreme is the view that they will usher in a golden era of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: COI brought major progress, but work must not stop now”
In January, we breathed a sigh of relief when the government announced a series of public meetings about the national tourism plan it is promising by October. Finally, we thought, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Remaining tourism meetings should be open to the public”
The recently completed law-enforcement review offers an extensive 10-year plan to solve appalling security failures caused by decades of underfunding and other neglect by the United Kingdom and Virgin Islands …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Security recs mostly sound, but UK power grab not okay”
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley is absolutely right in seeking to raise yachting fees and otherwise reform the 33-year-old rules governing the territory’s marine industry. But stakeholder protests here and abroad …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Yachting reforms need more work”
Government is right to kick off 2025 by organising a comprehensive public conversation about the tourism sector. Now it’s the public’s turn. We urge all residents to participate in the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Public input vital at tourism summit”
We are cautiously optimistic about the sensible plans included in the legislative agenda unveiled in the recent Speech from the Throne even though the to-do list appears overly ambitious for …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Aligning HOA agenda with national plan is wise”
The past 12 months have not been easy for the Virgin Islands, but 2024 nevertheless brought glimpses of the light at the end of a tunnel the territory entered when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: After 7 years of strife, the VI must emerge stronger”
Signs abound that the coming tourism high season will be successful, building on travellers’ positive impressions of the Virgin Islands and showing that the demand to vacation here remains strong. …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands must not rest on tourism laurels”
It has been said that when the United States sneezes, the whole world catches a cold. We fear much worse than a proverbial cold for the Virgin Islands and the …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands should expect the worst from Trump presidency”
Sudden shifts in leadership are an occasional feature of any democracy, and dramatic Cabinet reshuffles are not unprecedented in the Virgin Islands. But after the latest shakeup, it is imperative …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Smooth transition key amid minister shakeup”
We welcome news of an important tool that will help address mounting threats to the Virgin Islands’ marine environment. This month, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: New vessel a big win for the environment”
Virgin Gorda residents who spoke at a recent community meeting argued forcefully that improving their island’s healthcare system should be an urgent government priority. They are right. And the same …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Sister islands face a healthcare crisis”
We are disappointed that the government and the governor missed their Aug. 31 deadline to complete the Commission of Inquiry reforms, but the delay does not detract from the extensive …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: COI reforms must be finished, then followed”
Like many residents, we are dumbfounded. We cannot even begin to understand how the government’s laudable attempt to update all public officers’ salaries to a “living wage” misfired so badly …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Public needs answers on giant salary mistake”
With the worst of this year’s hurricane season yet to come, Tropical Storm Ernesto brought many lessons when it passed over the Virgin Islands in the middle of last week. …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Ernesto’s outages lasted too long”
During this August Emancipation Festival, there is much to celebrate. Most importantly, of course, today marks 190 years since emancipation. This year also commemorates 70 years of Festival, an annual …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: 70th Festival is a time to celebrate and reflect”
Kudos to the House of Assembly for passing legislation this month to help reform social assistance in the territory. But leaders must not stop now. The Public Assistance (Amendment) Bill, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recent assistance reforms a good starting point”
Residents may be forgiven for feeling numb on the release of yet another scathing report about governance failings in the Virgin Islands. The 2022 Commission of Inquiry, the conviction of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: After scathing security review, UK and VI leaders must step up”
The Class of 2024 has much to celebrate as they receive their diplomas and welcome the future. While the road ahead will be challenging, the graduates have proven themselves more …
May 31 marked the expiration of the original two-year deadline to implement the 48 agreed governance reforms recommended by the 2022 Commission of Inquiry report. With Governor Daniel Pruce now …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: New COI reform target must be met”