In the interest of supporting green industries, members of the House of Assembly passed a resolution on Aug. 26 to add certain energy-based goods to the list of zero-tax items …
Social Security Board directorship debated
If a pair of resolutions pass today in the House of Assembly, Jeanette Scatliffe-Boynes would continue to act as the director of the Social Security Board through the end of …
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Government legal fees exceed $3m in COI
Asked recently how much the government is paying the law firm Withersworldwide for representation during the ongoing Commission of Inquiry, Premier Andrew Fahie did not provide an exact figure. But …
Premier refuses to provide Cabinet info
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn sought a comprehensive list of Cabinet decisions during a recent House of Assembly sitting, but Premier Andrew Fahie declined to provide it, first claiming that it …
Pipe laid as EE sewerage project starts
The Covid-19 pandemic has hampered numerous infrastructure projects in the territory by causing raw material shortages, delaying supply shipments, and limiting working hours. But progress nevertheless has been made, including …
Demolition progresses at admin complex
Demolition and waterproofing work has progressed at the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex this year despite complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye …
Airport development fund in spotlight
The BVI Airports Authority development fund has been tapped for various uses in recent years, including multiple consultancies costing hundreds of thousands of dollars as well as investments in equipment …
New USVI-based health services chair approved
During an emergency meeting on July 29, the House of Assembly approved the appointment of a new BVI Health Services Authority Board chairman, Moleto Smith Jr., who is based in …
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COMMENTARY — ‘My time in the HOA’
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. …
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 …
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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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 …
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 …
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 …
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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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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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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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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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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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 …
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 …
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 …