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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Clerk: HOA was ‘overwhelmed’ with Covid applications
The Commission of Inquiry called House of Assembly Clerk Phyllis Evans to testify on July 14, asking her why incomplete applications for pandemic aid were accepted, how ministers decide who …
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Caricom backs VI government over COI
Heads of government from the Caribbean Community said last week that the organisation continues to support the Virgin Islands government as the United Kingdom-led independent Commission of Inquiry into possible …
House Speaker claims he never violated ROI act, but provides documents showing he filed late, incorrectly
After Commissioner of Inquiry Sir Gary Hickinbottom alleged that Speaker of the House Julian Willock had breached the Register of Interests Act all three years that he’s been in office, …
EDITORIAL: The Register of Interests is broken. No surprise there
In recent days, the Commission of Inquiry has shone a glaring spotlight on the long-standing need to reform the system through which legislators declare their interests, a task that leaders …
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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. …
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 …
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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Contract oversight body in the works
Legislation designed to bring greater transparency to public construction contracts was debated in the House of Assembly on May 13 in a move that Premier Andrew Fahie described as part …
COMMENTARY — Show host, others called out
In the House of Assembly, members can get away with saying almost anything under privilege without fear of retribution, except perhaps for calling another member a liar. It is not …
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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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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 …