"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
After a long-delayed bid to oust his government fizzled out on the floor of the House of Assembly last week, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley fired back at an opposition he …
Continue reading “Premier fires back after no-confidence motion flops”
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 …
The territory is one step closer to getting the new immigration detention centre that leaders have promised repeatedly since the previous one at Balsam Ghut began housing prison inmates more …
Continue reading “$370k deal signed for design of immigration centre”
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”
Environmental consultant Amar Munnolimath stood in a conference room at Treasure Isle Hotel on May 29 arranging large post-it notes on the wall. Each note listed a problem believed to …
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley appears to be getting ahead of himself in his haste to lure opposition members to the government bench. He should slow down. When announcing recently that …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: ‘Minister of state’ plan is half-baked”
Government’s recent decision to suddenly postpone the long-planned minimum-wage increase was not acceptable. The $2.50-per-hour increase to $8.50 per hour, approved by the House of Assembly earlier this year, was …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Raise the minimum wage already”
A partially sunk barge linked to a Virgin Gorda construction company has been in Fat Hogs Bay for more than two months as government officials attempt to work with the …
Continue reading “Big barge tilts as government treads water”
A series of “stakeholder consultations” on the planned airport expansion was scheduled to start on Oct. 29, but the Beacon’s attempts to find out when and where the meetings are …
Continue reading “Public not invited to ‘stakeholder’ meetings for airport project”
The government’s plan to borrow $100 million to rebuild critical public infrastructure is a big step in the public sector’s long-delayed recovery from the 2017 hurricanes. However, given the scale …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Funds from new loan must be spent wisely”
The minimum wage in the Virgin Islands will soon increase to $8.50 an hour, Deputy Premier Lorna Smith announced today. The new baseline salary will come into effect on Nov. …
An attorney for ex-premier Andrew Fahie argued last week that he was accused of acting only as a “figurehead” in the cocaine-trafficking scheme that led to his conviction and should …
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer claimed last week in the House of Assembly that his approach to repairing roads in the territory will ensure that taxpayers get good value …
Nineteen fifth graders from Ebenezer Thomas Primary School got a taste of leadership on Friday when they took part in a mock sitting of the House of Assembly. Led by …
A registration drive set to kick off next week is designed to bring employment, training and education opportunities to unemployed residents in the Virgin Islands, government announced Tuesday. The effort …
Elected officials’ recent squabbles in the House of Assembly reflect a failure to work together and carry out the important business of governing the Virgin Islands. During the HOA meeting …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: HOA should stop bickering and get down to business”
As part of ongoing efforts to implement reforms suggested by the 2022 Commission of Inquiry report, the government is working with the Commonwealth Secretariat to improve the way public debt …
While detailing his recent efforts to shore up relations with the United Kingdom during a May 16 press conference, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley also announced the creation of the …
The new House of Assembly is taking shape. The past week saw the appointment of Progressive Virgin Islands Movement leader Ronnie Skelton as opposition leader and the setting of ministerial …
As voters head to the polls today and Monday, they have plenty of choices. The 42 candidates for the 13 House of Assembly seats — who include 25 district hopefuls …
For the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Irma, we asked a handful of residents to grade the territory’s recovery on a scale of one to ten. Their scores averaged nearly seven, …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: VI strong, but government recovery far behind”
The Recovery and Development Agency oversaw seven projects last year and is looking to complete more in 2022, including works at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, RDA acting CEO …
Christmas shopping metamorphosed into an informal barbecue and dance party last Thursday night in hopes of coaxing night-time shoppers to a small but thriving area across from the Road Town …
The institution of government matters, and it is legit. Nonetheless, the government is often criticised, maligned and raked mercilessly over hot coal. Some of the criticism is self-inflicted and well-deserved. …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for better gov’t”
Starting Oct. 1, fully vaccinated travellers entering the territory will no longer have to register online through the BVI Gateway portal, Premier Andrew Fahie announced Tuesday night on Virgin Islands …
