"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
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 …
During the historic first session of the second Virgin Islands Youth Parliament on March 11, young representatives drew on extensive research as they shared their hopes for the territory’s future …
As he spoke about the 1950 restoration of the Legislative Council, Premier Andrew Fahie compared the Virgin Islands to a lab rat that doesn’t realise the familiar glass borders to …
Kudos to government for hosting a comprehensive press conference last month in a format that we hope will become the new normal going forward. The session was ideal for several …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Last month’s press conference should be repeated weekly”
Seated next to Premier Andrew Fahie during a surprise press conference at Village Cay, Alvera Maduro-Caines announced Monday afternoon that she had resigned from the National Democratic Party and will …
Continue reading “Alvera Caines-Maduro, D-6 rep, crosses the aisle to Virgin Islands Party”
A new Magistrates’ Court is currently being designed and planned as part of the first phase of the “Halls of Justice” project, according to Government Information Services. Premier Andrew Fahie …
Continue reading “Premier: New court facilities coming soon”
Fewer than nine months after their original appointment, the government’s two junior ministers traded places on Monday, Premier Andrew Fahie announced the next day. As of Monday, Shereen Flax-Charles (R-at …
Continue reading “Junior ministers trade places with no notice”
Eight officers from the Armed Response Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force recently completed a six-week “Close Protection Training” course conducted by the Bermuda police. The first cohort …
Cabinet has approved and submitted a revised Recovery to Development Plan to the United Kingdom as part of efforts toward securing a loan guarantee. Premier Andrew Fahie said Monday that …
A new programme designed to boost employment in the territory was received with interest from hotels and other businesses last week. Claude Skelton-Cline reached out the BVI Chamber of Commerce …
After weeks of criticising the United Kingdom’s conditions for a recovery loan guarantee, Premier Andrew Fahie returned from a visit to London and said this week that his government is …
Continue reading “Government ‘on the way’ to loan guarantee”
In the weeks after Hurricane Irma, the recovery effort roared to life. With the help of funding and personnel from the United Kingdom and other partners, the Virgin Islands government …
In the two years since Hurricane Irma devastated the Virgin Islands, the territory has made astonishing progress that should make residents proud. Nevertheless, all is not well with the longer-term …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recovery has come far, but all is not well”
Police, fire fighters and other public officers recently completed training in using drones for disaster response. The three-day DARTdrones’ Basic Flight Training for Disaster Response, which concluded Friday, included classroom …
Smart politicians pay heed to early disenchantment from voters. Why? Because to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Voter grumbling and voter discontentment at specific matters usually mark the beginning …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Gov’t warned of early grumbling”
Congratulations to our newly elected members in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly, and God’s blessings throughout your term. The campaigning was quite short. As a result, many candidates did …
Moves towards e-government are welcome but overdue in an economy dependent on telecommunications to make its tourist product and financial services industry more attractive and efficient. We might emulate Estonia’s …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for e-gov’t, telecoms”
During a Friday ceremony held to swear in the new government ministers, Premier Andrew Fahie announced an extensive reshuffling of the previous ministerial portfolios. “I’m an unconventional leader for an …
Though the government’s new “Recovery to Development Plan” lists general spending projections and touts many laudable goals, it is disappointingly vague. Because the document does not include specific priorities and …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recovery plan is still too vague”