"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Though the government’s Housing Recovery Assistance Programme was allocated a $9 million boost in May under the umbrella of a Covid-19 pandemic stimulus package funded mostly by the Social Security …
Continue reading “Irma housing aid stops taking applications”
Leaders recently commended the territory’s WE RECYCLE programme, which they said diverted an estimated 3,328 tonnes of recyclable materials from the incinerator and landfill to two established recycling centres. “This …
In recent months, Virgin Islands leaders have placed focus on the role of self-determination in the territory’s future development as they plan a review of the 2007 Constitution. The House …
Continue reading “HOA debates disaster bill, passes other laws”
After discussing the financial challenges and uncertain future tied to the Covid-19 pandemic, the House of Assembly passed the $402 million 2021 budget on Tuesday. “Are we out of the …
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 …
The year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the restoration of the territory’s legislature, and as the year comes to a close members are taking action to make the House …
While this year’s Speech from the Throne delivered by Governor Gus Jaspert last Thursday in the House of Assembly repeated many familiar promises for digital advancement and overhauls of major …
Continue reading “House agenda addresses life amid Covid-19”
Governor Gus Jaspert is preparing for the end of his tenure at the start of the new year, when he will be replaced by current Bermuda Governor John Rankin. But …
In his first address as premier of the newly relaunched Virgin Islands Youth Parliament, Kevin Fahie pledged to be a role model. “Now more than ever, the territory’s youth need …
Continue reading “Virgin Islands Youth Parliament relaunches”
Nine resolutions recently approved by the House of Assembly appeared in the Gazette on Oct. 7, finalising an array of HOA decisions such as the addition of millions of dollars …
Continue reading “Budget additions, stamp duty waiver affirmed”
A series of bills updating how medicine is practised in the Virgin Islands is going through the House of Assembly with the ultimate goal of improving medical services offered here, …
During the 24-hour daily curfew in the spring, some households began running out of food, so government organised the distribution of relief supplies packed by volunteers throughout the territory. Last …
Though the Covid-19 pandemic slowed work on government’s planned housing complex in Joes Hill, construction is still on track to be completed within the planned three-and-a-half years from when the …
In July, the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities announced that it was attempting to repair its relationship with construction vendors by paying long overdue invoices for services rendered to …
Continue reading “TWU Ministry catching up on overdue invoices”
Since the Labour Arbitration Tribunal started operating in 2015, it has received 25 dispute referrals but handed down only two formal decisions, Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley …
Continue reading “Labour tribunal found in violation of Constitution”
Shortly after hurricanes Irma and Maria caused an estimated $572 million in damage to nearly 7,000 residential buildings across the territory, Virgin Islands leaders announced a plan to spend more …
Gambling is now officially legal in the Virgin Islands, but it may not be as tightly controlled as legislators previously claimed. When Premier Andrew Fahie introduced the controversial gambling bill …
Because of government revenue losses during the Covid-19 pandemic, the House of Assembly recently decided to adjust the 2020 budget, approving $77 million in extra spending and shuffling tens of …
Proposed legislation regulating the licensing, practice and discipline of nursing and midwifery is awaiting debate in the House of Assembly. The Nurses and Midwives Act 2020 came for a first reading …
Continue reading “Nursing bill would open door for diversity in field”
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission failed to collect nearly $23 million in levies due from licensed operators since 2007, and it now has been charged with getting those funds, Premier Andrew …
Continue reading “Telecommunications commission eyes $23m in uncollected levies”
Though the celebrations will look notably different from typical years, the August Emancipation Festival will still happen in the coming weeks despite the complications of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to …
The Transportation, Works and Utilities Ministry recently has struggled to secure the services of some construction vendors who refuse to assist until they get paid for past work, according to …
Continue reading “Bridges burnt over unpaid government bills”
A bill designed to protect the Virgin Islands’ natural resources passed the House of Assembly on Monday following a full day of closed-door deliberation. The Trade In Endangered Species (CITES) …
Out of 7,650 claims made to access part of the government’s $10 million Unemployment Relief Fund, 1,738 people have received a total of $2,421,238.32, according to Natural Resources, Labour and …
On July 10, Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley announced the immediate implementation of extra steps for businesses renewing work permits. This week, he walked back that plan …