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 …
HOA votes to up penalties for withholding stats
As part of efforts to help government collect information as the census continues, lawmakers have passed a bill designed to impose harsher penalties on people who withhold statistics they are …
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Property tax, buildings bills passed in HOA
The property tax and buildings bills were among legislation passed in House of Assembly this week. The Property Tax (Amendment) Bill 2023, which passed with amendments on March 5, is …
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Long-delayed rights watchdog in the works
For more than 15 years, successive governments have been promising to establish the Human Rights Commission provided for in the 2007 Constitution. But the initiative has been delayed again and …
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Premier eyeing full Caricom membership
The government is considering pursuing full membership in the Caribbean Community under an arrangement that would not require signing on to all the regional organisation’s agreements, according to Premier Dr. …
EDITORIAL: HOA must fix flawed Register of Interests
Ever since the Register of Interests Act was passed in 2008, the register has not functioned properly because legislators have used every trick in the book to hamstring it. For …
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Fahie, others not saying if they’ll take ‘Greedy Bill’ payout
Former premier Andrew Fahie is currently imprisoned in Miami while lawyers wrangle over his fate after a jury found him guilty of a drug-trafficking conspiracy on Feb. 8. But he …
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Big plans but few funds for roads
More than four hours into last week’s House of Assembly meeting, Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton asked his second question to Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer. “Would the [minister] give …
National Emergency Operations Centre delays blamed on Ukraine war and Covid
The construction of the new National Emergency Operations Centre in McNamara was delayed by issues associated with the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the project should be …
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For foreign travel, $3.5m in five years
Over the past five years, the government spent nearly $3.5 million on foreign travel expenses including accommodation, transportation, subsistence and warm clothing allowances, according to Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. …
New law aims to free up millions from tourist levy
For more than six years, the government has been collecting a $10 levy from most non-cruise ship visitors as required by the 2017 Environmental Protection and Tourism Improvement Fund Act. …
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Next steps unclear in Fahie drug case
Two weeks after a Miami jury found former premier Andrew Fahie guilty of a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, his future remains uncertain as attorneys spar over whether the court should investigate …
Just one firm bids on 38-mile road project
Despite three deadline extensions in a tender process launched last October, only one company bid last week for a 38-mile road reconstruction project on Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van …
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House of Assembly re-forms Commission of Inquiry committee
Following harsh criticism from United Kingdom officials over delayed Commission of Inquiry reforms, the House of Assembly has renewed a committee tasked with overseeing legislative initiatives recommended by the COI. …
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HOA forms the Public Accounts Committee
The House of Assembly recently appointed all six opposition members to the Public Accounts Committee — in their absence. Originally, the House had been slated to approve the same appointments …
EDITORIAL: HOA should stop bickering and get down to business
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 …
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Opposition defends House of Assembly walkout
Cowardice. That is the label given to the actions of Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley by the opposition following last week’s House of Assembly meeting. In a press conference last …
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EDITORIAL: Standing on the shoulders of giants
We applaud the House of Assembly and others responsible for recognising ten national heroes whose stories are an inspiration to current and future generations. The move was a welcome addition …
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HOA suspends Trade Commission Act
Government legislators reversed course this week on their previous plan to establish a Trade Commission as a statutory body in place of the existing Trade Department. The commission, which was …
Long-delayed tourism plan stalled for now
In March 2022, Cabinet decided to award a $1.9 million contract to a New York-based firm to create the national tourism plan that successive governments had been promising for more …
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Gov’t takes aim at harbour hazards
Rotting boats clogging harbours are one of the most common visual reminders of the 2017 hurricanes, and a new effort to get them removed is now under way, Premier Dr. …
Sewage plant to come online soon
The hurricane-damaged Burt Point wastewater treatment plant is still out of commission, but Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer said last week that it should be coming online next month. …
Progress promised at Prospect
Ever since government purchased the Prospect Reef Resort in 2005 with plans to convert it into a hospitality-training centre, the property has been mired in controversy and false starts as …
Legislators walk back ‘Greedy Bill’
Legislators voted Tuesday to walk back a controversial 2021 law that dramatically upped their compensation package by allowing them to continue receiving their full salary for up to four years …
House of Assembly repped in Turks and Caicos
A delegation from the House of Assembly travelled to the Turks and Caicos Islands last month for the 45th Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The CPA Conference of …
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