The below is my paraphrase of the combined submissions House of Assembly members gave to the Commission of Inquiry in recent days, with the exception of Deputy Speaker Neville Smith. …
June 23, 2021
June 15, 2021
HOA insurance plan shelved after protest
At a time when the National Health Insurance programme has been struggling with funding woes, a plan to use taxpayers’ money to provide supplemental health insurance for House of Assembly …
May 25, 2021
Premier: Financial services helping VI through Covid
With only a modest dip in revenue so far this year compared to early 2020, the financial services industry has continued to buoy the territory’s economy while other sectors have …
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May 25, 2021
Crown land for affordable housing?
Legislators recently discussed options for designating Crown land for residents interested in becoming first-time homeowners across the territory. In the question-and-answer segment in May 13’s House of Assembly sitting, Opposition …
May 22, 2021
Premier details port purchases, finances
The BVI Ports Authority has enhanced its patrolling capabilities with the acquisition of a new speedboat, Premier Andrew Fahie announced in a House of Assembly sitting last Thursday, during which …
May 22, 2021
HOA broadens ‘explosives’ definition
Following a recent string of violent crimes in the territory, the House of Assembly has passed legislation to widen the definition of “explosives” to allow more aggressive prosecution of gun-related …
May 22, 2021
Statutory board members’ stipends discussed
Leaders of the statutory boards that oversee tourism, airports, seaports and telecommunications were in the spotlight on May 13 in the House of Assembly when Opposition Leader Marlon Penn asked …
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May 14, 2021
HOA passes 11 bills in two days
Over the past week, legislators passed 11 bills in two days, including one that will alter their retirement package in a way that has not yet been disclosed to the …
May 7, 2021
Fahie calls seaport opening a ‘success’
The recent seaport reopening has come with some “teething pains,” but it has been an overall success, Premier Andrew Fahie said on April 29 in the House of Assembly. Between …
May 7, 2021
HOA members review their retirement plan
Following reported complaints from retired legislators about an “anomaly” with how their retirement funds are tabulated, the House of Assembly is considering changing a law to address the issue. Premier …
May 7, 2021
Irma survivors still living in VG centre
Construction is under way at some of the territory’s hurricane-damaged community centres, with an eye toward reviving activities that can take place as the world recovers from the pandemic, Health …
May 7, 2021
Ronnie Skelton heading new board at the RDA
The agency established to lead the territory’s recovery from the 2017 hurricanes is under new leadership, with former legislator Ronnie Skelton chairing the board. Premier Andrew Fahie announced April 29 …
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May 6, 2021
Derelict vehicle removal programme is ongoing
At the same time that Health and Social Development Minister Carvin Malone was providing an update on derelict vehicle removal efforts in the House of Assembly last month, he noted …
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May 5, 2021
2020 tourism industry revenue dipped nearly $280m
Although the dramatic pandemic-related slowdown in the tourism industry is evident from the Virgin Islands’ uncrowded beaches and vacant hotel rooms, statistics Premier Andrew Fahie presented to the House of …
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May 3, 2021
HOA updates financial laws, others
The House of Assembly passed seven bills on April 22, most of which updated existing legislation focused on financial matters including fee waivers, trusteeships and inheritance rules. While presenting the …
May 3, 2021
Cruise ships could home-port here soon
Cruise ships would be able to start and end their journeys in the Virgin Islands under a proposed law introduced recently in the House of Assembly as part of efforts …
May 3, 2021
Inquiry hearings start this week
The United Kingdom’s commission of inquiry is scheduled to start holding its first hearings today in Road Town. The move is the next step after the commission received various written …
April 29, 2021
Integrity bill gets to House of Assembly
This year started with the January launch of an investigation into alleged corruption in the Virgin Islands as then-Governor Gus Jaspert aired concerns about political intimidation and inappropriate use of …
April 28, 2021
Parks getting renovated
This year marked the 55th anniversary of the passage of the Recreation Trust Act (Cap 278), and Deputy Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said the trust is launching a series …
April 23, 2021
Farmers and Fishers Week to kick off Sunday
Starting Sunday, Farmers and Fishers Week will celebrate a sustainable, adaptable future in food production, according to Deputy Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The event marks the resumption of a …
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April 23, 2021
Speaker calls out governor on pending bills
Speaker of the House Julian Willock started last week’s House of Assembly sitting by levelling criticism at the Governor’s Office for not yet assenting to bills already approved by legislators. …
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April 23, 2021
Joes Hill housing ahead of schedule
Construction on affordable housing for first-time homeowners is set to finish 13 months ahead of schedule, according to Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley. The Joes Hill development …
April 22, 2021
Government gave commission of inquiry 73k pages
The government so far has provided 3,977 official documents amounting to 72,902 pages to the United Kingdom commission of inquiry, Premier Andrew Fahie told the House of Assembly on April …
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April 22, 2021
New unemployment numbers released
In the latest update on how the pandemic has affected unemployment in the Virgin Islands, government said more than 14 percent of employees at businesses reporting to the Department of …
April 22, 2021
More students allowed on campus for final term
As students prepare for the final term of the 2020-21 school year, more of them will be permitted to attend class in person following recent decisions by Cabinet. But schools …
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