Heated House of Assembly exchanges this week saw Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley accuse some opposition members of wanting to the flush the financial services industry “down the drain.” The flashpoint …
February 13, 2025
February 6, 2025
Opposition trio launches ‘alliance’
In a cramped room last Thursday morning at Maria’s by the Sea, three opposition members pitched a new solution to the stagnation they said has bogged down both sides of …
February 6, 2025
Crown appeals Walwyn ruling
Nine days after defeating allegations that he breached the public’s trust during the construction of a wall at Elmore Stoutt High School, opposition member Myron Walwyn projected confidence last Thursday …
January 23, 2025
No-confidence vote still in works
On Friday, opposition members repeated a claim they have been making for four months, insisting that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley should be ousted over his alleged failure to tackle rising …
January 23, 2025
Walwyn wall case tossed
A magistrate tossed out charges against two former Virgin Islands education officials on Jan. 21, effectively ending a criminal case linked to a 2014 wall project at the Elmore Stoutt …
January 16, 2025
Police, cybercrime bills rushed through HOA
Over the past 10 days in the House of Assembly, the government fast-tracked two bills designed to boost law enforcers’ authority, drawing criticism from opposition members irked by Premier Natalio …
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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. …
September 19, 2024
House tackling last COI reform
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 …
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 votes to amend 2021 integrity act
The House of Assembly voted Friday to amend a 2021 integrity law that never took effect and strengthen an Integrity Commission that was never established. The Integrity in Public Life …
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 26, 2024
HOA passes governor’s inquiry bill
Shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday, the House of Assembly returned from closed-door committee and passed an amended version of a bill proposed by Governor Daniel Pruce to modernise the …
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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July 12, 2024
HOA shoring up assistance programme
The House of Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that aims to further reform the Assistance Grants Programme, which has been dramatically revamped over the past two years in keeping with …
March 15, 2024
QEII Park roadwork at standstill
The Public Works Department spent $180,743 on roadwork alongside the Queen Elizabeth II Park before workers discovered shallow utility lines and a high water table that have stalled the project, …
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 1, 2024
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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February 29, 2024
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. …
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 …
March 9, 2023
Parties pit experience against new candidates
The National Democratic Party and Progressive Virgin Islands Movement both added election candidates over the past week, pulling largely from the pool of political veterans but also giving a platform …
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October 27, 2022
Official charged with breach of trust
Lorna Stevens, an assistant secretary who helped oversee the controversial Elmore Stoutt High School perimetre wall project, has been charged with breach of trust and released on bail, police announced …
July 30, 2021
Officials: Ministry was aware of ESHS wall overruns
The Elmore Stoutt High School perimeter wall project, which has been investigated extensively by the Commission of Inquiry in recent months, was the focus of the last two hearings the …
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July 8, 2021
COI probes ESHS wall project
The Commission of Inquiry called former Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn for a hearing on July 1 concerning an unfinished project to build a perimeter wall around Elmore Stoutt …
June 24, 2021
COI calls former legislators
Besides questioning current members of the House of Assembly over the past week, the Commission of Inquiry also called former members as it sought information about elected officials’ interests. Like …
May 30, 2019
Walwyn resigns as NDP chairman
Myron Walwyn resigned as chairman of the National Democratic Party, according to a press release issued last week. In his letter of resignation he thanked the NDP for “entrusting its …
