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 23, 2024
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 …
March 3, 2023
CGB sewage collection system to cost $4m
Last July, government commissioned a $1.8 million wastewater treatment plant near the Ivan Dawson Primary School in Cane Garden Bay. Now, another $4 million is needed to complete the collection …
August 18, 2022
Water, sewerage authority in works
Legislators gave the green light last week to create a new statutory body to oversee water and sewerage, claiming the move will help rectify longstanding infrastructure problems that have plagued …
August 11, 2022
House of Assembly tackles water woes with new bill
The House of Assembly is currently debating a bill that would create a new statutory body for water and sewerage, and most legislators expressed overwhelming support for the plan before …
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May 19, 2022
Minister probing Florida LLC linked to Maynard
In light of BVI Ports Authority Managing Director Oleanvine Maynard’s arrest in Miami last month, Deputy Premier Kye Rymer addressed questions on May 13 about a Florida company registered in …
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March 3, 2022
Virgin Islands Party leaders tout economic recovery, projects
During a three-hour press conference on Friday, Premier Andrew Fahie and Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye Rymer highlighted the continuing post-pandemic economic recovery, which they said is helping the …
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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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