Premier Andrew Fahie told the House of Assembly on Friday that information on the botched BVI Airways deal is “missing” or on a “deleted” hard drive and that he is …
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May 27, 2019
February 28, 2019
$876k contracted for road rehab with FDL Consult
In his last public contract signing ceremony as the minister of communications and works, Mark Vanterpool last week inked an $876,250 deal with St. Lucia-based FDL Consult. The firm, he …
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February 8, 2019
VI has a lot to learn about insurance, says tribunal
After more than 50 claims have been filed with the insurance tribunal that government set up after Hurricane Irma, members of the body say that Virgin Islands residents have a …
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January 25, 2019
BVI Airways ‘failed to deliver a return,’ Premier says
After years of first denying problems and then deflecting the blame for them, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith acknowledged last week that government’s $7.2 million injection into BVI Airways was a …
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January 22, 2019
VI wary after Brexit deal tanks
Last Wednesday, Jan. 16, United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May narrowly survived a confidence vote 325 to 306 after her proposed Brexit deal received a stunning blow when members of …
January 17, 2019
Dutch blacklist was a surprise, Premier says
As the Virgin Islands awaits a decision from European Union officials regarding the territory’s potential inclusion on an international anti-tax-avoidance blacklist, one country on that continent has already decided to …
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January 11, 2019
Questions surround ‘economic substance’ legislation
The Virgin Islands’ new “economic substance” law took effect on New Year’s Day, but financial services stakeholders remain uncertain about its specific requirements and what impact those rules will have …
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December 28, 2018
Statutory bodies paid some $180k to collection agents since 2011, gov’t says
By DANIEL FLIGELSTONE DAVIES Two government statutory bodies have paid about $180,000 to collection agents since 2011, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith told the House of Assembly last week in response …
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December 28, 2018
Government hopes to rebuild Palm Grove Shopping Centre
The government will soon invite proposals for rebuilding the Palm Grove Shopping Centre, which was demolished in August after being gutted by Hurricane Irma, according to Premier Dr. Orlando Smith. …
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December 17, 2018
RDA cranks up with projects and regulations
Repairing sister islands’ administration buildings, upgrading school facilities, and removing derelict boats are among the projects the Recovery and Development Agency is preparing to tackle after working with the Premier’s …
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December 7, 2018
Christmas on DeCastro Street thrives thanks to late Delores Christopher
If there was any doubt about the survival of Christmas on DeCastro Street in the wake of the death of founder Delores Christopher, those fears were put to rest by …
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November 25, 2018
Cabinet approves Norman project talks
Cabinet gave the go-ahead at the end of October for government to negotiate a development agreement for Norman Island with Dr. Henry Jarecki, the island’s owner, according to a report …
November 22, 2018
Reopened clinic renamed for West End midwife Theresa Smith Blyden
Years ago, nurse Theresa Smith Blyden singlehandedly delivered babies for the entire West End community, including helping save the life of a mother of twins. And on Tuesday, she was …
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October 29, 2018
Walwyn’s ESHS wall project broke the law, audit states
The Ministry of Education and Culture, led by Minister Myron Walwyn, broke the law when constructing the incomplete perimeter wall around Elmore Stoutt High School in 2014 and 2015, overspending …
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October 26, 2018
Caribbean Development Bank hosts procurement workshop
The Caribbean Development Bank held procurement workshops in the Virgin Islands and throughout the Caribbean in September and October to help ensure that governments get good value for money. The …
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October 18, 2018
Lawmakers punt on human rights law
The establishment of the long-delayed Human Rights Commission has been postponed once again. Last week, after debating a bill designed to bring forward the commission, House of Assembly lawmakers broke …
October 8, 2018
Tortola Pier Park audit finished, premier says
KPMG’s audit of the Tortola Pier Park is finished and the Ministry of Finance is awaiting its delivery, according to Premier Dr. Orlando Smith. At a press conference last week, …
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October 5, 2018
Premier: Attorney General could use extra resources
At a press conference on Monday, Premier Dr. Orlando Smith acknowledged that the Attorney General’s Chambers may need additional resources to help boost the office’s ability to write legislation. Government’s …
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October 4, 2018
First Cabinet decisions made public
In a long-awaited move to increase government transparency, the first set of weekly Cabinet decisions was released to the public last Thursday. “The publicising of Cabinet decisions marks another milestone …
September 12, 2018
Virgin Islands economy takes new shapes after Irma
This article originally appeared in the Beacon’s Sept. 6 “Irma Anniversary” edition. Like many people throughout the Virgin Islands, Courdney Williams has a very different daily routine than he did 12 months …
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July 27, 2018
Human rights bill dropped from HOA agenda once again
Despite being scheduled for a debate and vote in this week’s House of Assembly sitting, the Human Rights Commission Act was dropped from legislators’ agenda, representing the latest in a …
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July 20, 2018
Former Fiji public servant to head Recovery and Development Agency
Cabinet has approved the hiring of New Zealand native Paul Bayly as the Recovery and Development Agency’s new chief executive officer. As head of the RDA, Mr. Bayly will be …
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July 19, 2018
Human rights commission on House of Assembly agenda
Lawmakers plan to debate and vote on the Human Rights Commissions Act 2018 in the House of Assembly sitting scheduled to begin today. The commission — which is provided for …
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July 12, 2018
Lawmakers pass addressing pilot programme
Lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously passed a motion establishing an expanded pilot project for a National Addressing System. The motion establishes names for dozens of roads in the greater Road Town …
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June 25, 2018
Premier talks up finance industry across Asia
The Virgin Islands government is close to entering into an official relationship with China’s largest association for small and medium-sized enterprises “for the development of a trading platform,” according to …
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