The House of Assembly began tackling its final Commission of Inquiry reform this week as legislators debated the first of five bills designed to improve the governance of five statutory …
September 19, 2024
April 18, 2024
Burt Point sewage plant back online
The Burt Point sewage treatment plant is operational again for the first time since it sustained major damage during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Extensive repairs on the facility were completed …
May 6, 2023
Opposition comes out swinging
The new opposition members presented a united front while making their first public appearance together on April 27 during a press conference. Expressing collective frustration, they gave a blow-by-blow account …
April 20, 2023
Three of four party leaders field questions
For more than 20 years, a party system has dominated Virgin Islands politics, and this year may be no different. As in 2019, four parties are contending the general election, …
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April 20, 2023
Interview: Fraser rallies against VIP re-election
This interview is one of three conducted with party leaders ahead of the 2023 general elections. To read the others, click here. Progressives United leader Julian Fraser is running solo …
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April 15, 2022
Opposition laments infrastructure issues
Small contractors in the Virgin Islands have been losing out on petty contracts under the current government, Opposition Leader Marlon Penn said during a press conference on Tuesday. “One of …
September 23, 2021
Fraser dodges the blame for project in SCB
Opposition member Julian Fraser claimed on Sept. 16 to have limited knowledge of the unfinished Sea Cows Bay Harbour Development Project in his Third District, alternately blaming its many problems …
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August 20, 2021
Labour minister grilled on work permits
On Monday in the House of Assembly, opposition member Julian Fraser took aim at the recent Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration policy of requiring holders of work permits …
July 23, 2021
COI probes Sea Cows Bay harbour project
To investigate claims of overspending, potential conflicts of interest, and a lack of oversight on the unfinished Sea Cows Bay Harbour Development Project, the Commission of Inquiry called opposition member …
June 17, 2021
Inquiry probes Registry of Interests, assistance grants
Focusing on elected officials’ financial interests and how they go about allocating $1.8 million each year in assistance grants, the Commission of Inquiry resumed public hearings again this week. COI …
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April 27, 2021
Malone grilled on pollution scrubber
The Pockwood Pond incinerator is back burning trash after six weeks offline, but Health and Social Development Minister Carvin Malone came under fire in the House of Assembly last week …
November 6, 2020
Opposition blasts government’s reopening plans
Opposition members used their monthly press conference last week to blast the government’s recently announced tourism re-opening protocols, which they said are overly restrictive. Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull (R-D2) said the …
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October 8, 2020
Opposition pushes government for tourism plan
In keeping with their promise to host monthly discussions with the media and the public, opposition members hosted a press conference on Sept. 30 where they distanced themselves from Premier …
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September 4, 2020
Opposition takes aim at Covid response
The day after the government hosted a more-than-three-hour-long Covid-19 press conference last week, opposition members voiced their concerns about leaders’ recent decisions, calling on them to present a detailed plan …
July 31, 2020
House votes to review 2007 Constitution
As the Virgin Islands prepares to celebrate emancipation, elected leaders also turned to the history books this week before greenlighting a constitutional review. Premier Andrew Fahie referenced the political groundswell …
July 17, 2020
Sweeping rewrite of police rules on table
Coming on the heels of widespread protests around the world concerning the death of George Floyd and the role of police in communities, the House of Assembly is considering a …
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June 18, 2020
Temporary layoffs can last up to 7 months
As more residents are laid off by businesses tightening their belts until the yet-to-be-declared date when Virgin Islands borders fully reopen, the government is taking measures that leaders say are …
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June 12, 2020
House nixes motion to censure governor
Last week in the House of Assembly, elected leaders delayed the Consumer Protection Bill and other government business and spent at least 10 hours debating a motion to “reprimand” Governor …
March 9, 2020
Answers on Tortola Pier Park customs duty raise questions
Last week Premier Andrew Fahie provided some previously missing data on the amount of revenue the Customs Department collected from licensed duty-free merchants at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier …
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February 10, 2020
Vulnerable Sea Cows Bay plans for safety
Sea Cows Bay is the target of renewed disaster-preparation efforts spurred by a report from the BVI Red Cross, which aims to help residents identify what risks they face and …
January 30, 2020
Opposition promises to hold government accountable
After losing former opposition member Alvera Maduro-Caines to the Virgin Islands Party and seeing the resignation of Recovery and Development Agency CEO Paul Bayly this month, opposition members acknowledged last …
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December 20, 2019
Prospect Reef workers still not paid
Prospect Reef employees have not been paid since August 2018, opposition member Julian Fraser said Friday in the House of Assembly, but then he questioned why the government should be …
December 2, 2019
Fraser says public services fall short
In the House of Assembly on Nov. 14, opposition member Julian Fraser complained about the government’s swelling budget compared with what he said are insufficient public services. Mr. Fraser (R-D3) …
November 8, 2019
Fraser grills ministers on D-3 repairs
The Third District was discussed at length in the House of Assembly on Oct. 17 thanks to persistent questioning from opposition member Julian Fraser, who brought up issues of water …
May 30, 2019
Belongership “fast track” postponed
An amendment related to the controversial “fast-track” plan to residency and belongership being championed by Premier Andrew Fahie is scheduled for a hearing in the House of Assembly on Monday, …
