"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
The government tendered fewer than half of the major contracts it awarded between 2019 and 2022, and it often passed over the lowest offer for the rest, according to a …
Continue reading “Audit blasts 2019-2022 contracting procedures”
After four years of delays, the census is still less than half complete, and many of the enumerators hired to get it done have quit due to residents’ hostility, according …
The first six months of 2024 set a tourism record, bringing the most visitor arrivals of any first half in Virgin Islands history and causing Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley …
Continue reading “First-half tourism record driven by cruise ships”
The 2024 graduates of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College know a thing or two about adversity. Many of them weathered Hurricane Irma around the time they started high school, and …
The first week of the Atlantic Hurricane Season brought heavy rains that caused landslides, power outages and flooding across much of the territory. On June 5-6, some 9.5 inches fell …
Continue reading “First week of hurricane season brings floods”
A major international report released Monday raises serious concerns about the territory’s ability to deal with money laundering and other financial crime, leading one expert to warn that “red lights” …
Continue reading “Money laundering report brings threat of ‘grey list’”
As port officials had previously predicted, 2023 saw the arrival of a record number of cruise ship passengers in the territory, the BVI Ports Authority announced Monday. The number of …
In January 2021, Governor John Rankin arrived in the Virgin Islands days after his predecessor dropped a political bombshell by announcing a Commission of Inquiry into possible corruption in the …
Boarding Richard Branson’s new cruise liner, Valiant Lady, leaders and other guests from around the territory mingled and laughed on Sunday, eager to sample the experience of an adults-only cruise. …
Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2023, who overcame formidable challenges to get where they are today. First, they survived Hurricane Irma, which transformed the territory. Then they …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: First post-pandemic class enters world of opportunity”
The government paid $2.04 million to EZ Shipping Limited to rent barges for five months of border security services in 2020 and 2021 — including $738,000 for about two months …
Continue reading “EZ Shipping barges cost government $2 million”
With the worst of the pandemic in the rearview mirror, the BVI Health Services Authority announced on Nov. 24 that it is refocusing its efforts on bolstering non-emergency care and …
Continue reading “BVI Health Services Authority pledges to tackle staff concerns”
Ahead of the holiday season, the Virgin Islands is preparing to join a regional programme that aims to set standards for public health management in the tourism sector across the …
Starting on Nov. 1, public officers will no longer be required to wear masks in offices, Deputy Governor David Archer announced last Thursday. Cabinet lifted the legal requirement to wear …
There were 103 active Covid-19 cases throughout the territory as of last Thursday, according to the government’s most recent update. Numbers from the Covid-19 dashboard released that day show that …
After more than four weeks with fewer than 20 active Covid-19 cases reported in the territory, government announced April 21 that there were 95 active cases — up from 19 …
As of last Thursday, the territory had 19 known active Covid-19 cases, all of which were found on Tortola. Of those, four were found through entry screening on day seven, …
Government’s most recent Covid-19 update on March 23 reported a total of 16 active cases in the territory with no one hospitalised. The number was up slightly from March 18, …
Premier Andrew Fahie provide an update on tourism numbers at a Feb. 11 press conference, which he said are “very healthy and encouraging.” In 2021, the Virgin Islands received almost …
Continue reading “Tourism numbers ‘very healthy,’ premier says”
What started as a temporary test run around the holidays a few years ago has turned into a free, regularly scheduled public shuttle service for Road Town. Leaders stepped aboard …
Managing the pandemic, keeping up with the Commission of Inquiry, and overseeing changes within the public service made for a busy first year in office for Governor John Rankin. Mr. …
Continue reading “The 3 Cs: Governor talks Covid, COI, crime”
Dame Janice Pereira, who is starting her 10th and final year of serving as chief justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, virtually opened a new law year on Jan. …
Two contrasting pictures of the territory’s economic future emerged during the budget debate this week in the House of Assembly. Government legislators described 2021 as a successful year despite the …
Continue reading “Government aims for growth in 2022 budget”
In a move that cost taxpayers more than $2 million, Premier Andrew Fahie authorised the use of three barges owned by EZ Shipping for border security during the Covid-19 pandemic …
Continue reading “Premier pushed for EZ Shipping border barges, guv says”
