Recent developments suggest that government may be rethinking a previous plan to award a controversial contract for 38 miles of roadwork, but the minister in charge says no final decisions …
December 19, 2024
November 25, 2024
West End terminal faces new bid delay
More than seven years after Hurricane Irma destroyed the West End ferry terminal, the plan to replace the facility continues to face delays. The deadline for bids for the construction …
November 7, 2024
Confidence vote could be delayed to next year after gov’t walkout
A no-confidence vote the opposition has been pushing for more than two months may now be delayed until as late as next March following a government walkout last week in …
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November 3, 2024
Trellis Bay centre to be ready soon
Government ministers provided updates on hurricane recovery projects, Jost Van Dyke public works, the Belle Vue gym and other efforts in response to questions from the opposition during the Oct. …
October 29, 2024
Water payments to go online
Starting in January, residents will be able to pay their water and sewerage bills online, Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer announced Friday in the House of Assembly. Describing the …
October 28, 2024
Study probes cruise sector in region
A preliminary economic study examining the cruise industry’s impacts in the Caribbean will be presented this week at a conference in St. Maarten, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye …
August 23, 2024
A $13 million mistake
In the 2024 Budget Address last November, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley announced a Cabinet decision to include about $10 million in this year’s budget to ensure that all public …
August 2, 2024
HOA limits Cabinet’s power over contracts
Despite dissent from five opposition members, the House of Assembly narrowly voted on Tuesday to dramatically limit Cabinet’s discretion over contract awards in keeping with recommendations from the 2022 Commission …
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July 18, 2024
Guv’s inquiry bill sparks cries of ‘dictatorship’
On Tuesday in the House of Assembly, two legislators used the word “dictatorship” to decry a bill that Governor Daniel Pruce is proposing to modernise the Commission of Inquiry Act …
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June 20, 2024
Crown land legislation passes with amendments
After six days in closed-door committee, the House of Assembly passed a law on Monday that aims to provide a transparent framework for the acquisition, management and disposal of crown …
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May 24, 2024
Cruise executives promise more calls
Government has continued to embrace record-breaking cruise tourism numbers, giving cruise lines no “indication that they have reached their limit” in the territory, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye …
May 16, 2024
Rymer refuses to name licensed taxi drivers
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer drew fire from the opposition during a recent House of Assembly meeting for refusing to provide the names of the drivers who were issued …
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May 9, 2024
Penn questions 1-bid road tender
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer claimed last week in the House of Assembly that his approach to repairing roads in the territory will ensure that taxpayers get good value …
April 26, 2024
No cap on cruise visitors despite rapid rise
Cruise ship passenger arrivals are expected to hit a new record this year and then continue climbing, but no upper limit has been set, according to Communications and Works Minister …
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April 26, 2024
$1.8 million to help fix worst roads
While government continues to consider the lone bid of about $37 million for 38 miles of roadwork across the territory, $1.8 million has been allocated to carry out remedial works …
April 25, 2024
Homeowners promised solar option
The BVI Electricity Corporation is implementing an initiative to bring solar energy to more Virgin Islands households, Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer announced during a press conference last Thursday. …
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 …
March 15, 2024
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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March 14, 2024
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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March 1, 2024
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 …
February 13, 2024
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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December 15, 2023
Air rally touches down in Virgin Islands
For the first time since 2016, organised waves of private planes descended onto Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport last week, completing the second leg of this year’s Governor General’s Caribbean …
September 22, 2023
Huntums Ghut centre promised soon
After years of delays, the government’s Economic Zone project in Huntums Ghut is nearing completion, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer. “As of September 2023, the project is …
September 14, 2023
Palm Grove project bogs down
Government still aims to rebuild the Palm Grove Shopping Centre, but it is currently in talks with leaseholders who operated on the property before it was destroyed by Hurricane Irma, …
May 6, 2023
VIP-led government announces ministries
The new House of Assembly is taking shape. The past week saw the appointment of Progressive Virgin Islands Movement leader Ronnie Skelton as opposition leader and the setting of ministerial …
