Mrs. Bethsaida Smith-Hanley has been appointed Clerk of the House of Assembly, effective December 31, 2023.As Clerk, Mrs. Smith-Hanley will oversee the daily operations of the House of Assembly, including the coordination of official functions, the management of House of Assembly sittings, the preparation of Order Papers as well as the supervision of all staff within the Office of the House of Assembly.                                    Mrs. Smith Hanley has an extensive Public Service career, ...

Late Friday evening, Premier the Honourable Natalio Wheatley made a statement following the damning COI report given by Governor John Rankin. During the statement, he announced a joint press conference with himself and the Leader of the Opposition the  Honourable Ronnie Skelton, to be held today Monday 8 January. Our news room can confirm that the BVI Press received an invitation on Sunday afternoon just after 2:00pm to a press conference to be held at the Premier’s conference room today Monday...

In December of 2020, as Governor Jaspert’s term came to a close, and after a tenure of turmoil, specifically under the 2019 elected leadership of an Andrew Fahie led Government, Governor Jaspert announced a Commission of Inquiry for the Territory. He noted that there were mounting concerns of questionable governance and widespread corruption in Government; as well as high level crimes being perpetrated at the very top echelons of Government. A Commission of Inquiry was initiated to be conducted...

The Governor in his final COI Quarterly update to the Territory before he departs, has laid a scathing report on the Natalio Wheatley (R7) led Government.  The Governor in his report has stated that the Government has continuously failed to meet deadlines despite repeated chances, reschedules and opportunities. In expressing his disappointment, he has once again extended the deadline to November of 2024, however, is seeking additional powers for the Office of Governor, to ensure completion of th...

The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced that significant progress is being made in the ongoing airport development project.To this end, the BVI Airports Authority has opened tenders for the development of a business case which is crucial to the project’s success following a recently concluded RFP process.The tendering process attracted interests from both local and international firms and saw a total of eight (8) bids being received and publicly opened on January 4.Minister of Commun...

Amidst the anticipation of the Virgin Islands' upcoming 70th Emancipation celebrations of 2024, the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIFFC) has found itself embroiled in significant changes and controversies. The statutory body, which has traditionally fallen under the Ministry of Education, is now undergoing significant restructuring. One of the most notable changes has been the transfer of the culture portfolio, under which the festivals lie, from the Ministry of Education, to the ...

The Government of the Virgin Islands is forging ahead with efforts to enhance the delivery of services to the people of the Virgin Islands, with the launch of a dedicated website to track the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations.This is in line with the Virgin Islands Modern Governance Approach, “Government Business at its Best”, launched at the end of July last year, to further the implementation of the recommendations of the COI Report.On January 19, 2021, the Un...

It was just after 8:00pm last night Monday 1 January when neighbours were alarmed by a nearby loud explosion. Shortly thereafter, they witnessed a home in the Kingstown area engulfed in flames. Neighbours and other nearby residents are said to have called emergency services. It is not clear the response time of the emergency services, however it is reported that the house is just about completely destroyed. It is reported that two elderly sisters and a pet were in the home at the time of the fir...

Police can confirm a shooting tonight.Details of the shooting are unclear at this time. One male was injured and at the moment is receiving treatment at Dr. Orlando Hospital. More details will be provided as they become available.

Police can confirm a shooting tonight.Details of the shooting are unclear at this time. One male was injured and at the moment is receiving treatment at Dr. Orlando Hospital. More details will be provided as they become available.

It has been a few rough years for the Territory as it struggle to recover economically from hurricanes Irma and Maria in September of 2017, followed by the worldwide Covid 19 pandemic that shut travel down across the globe for almost two years. As the world gets back to its self, and travel is now unrestricted, New Year’s Eve, culturally referred to as Ole Year’s Night in the Virgin Islands, is back to its former glory, and then some. There are an abundance of ways to enjoy Ole Year’s Night a...

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has recorded an upsurge in the number of dinghy thefts, especially during the festive season. The RVIPF Marine Unit has shared crucial tips to help prevent such incidents ahead of the upcoming celebrations:1. Take proactive measures by recording dinghy serial numbers to aid in case of theft.2. Remove the kill cord when the dinghy is not in use.3. Hoist the dinghy when it is not in use, particularly during nighttime.4. Secure the outboard motor to the dinghy ...

In a surprising end of year letter from the Deputy Governor David Archer to Public Officers dated 29 December 2023, the Cabinet has made the decision to complete outstanding increment payments by 2027, based on availability of funding. This move pushes increment payments back by a shocking four years. Based on a Compensation Review done by PriceWaterHouseCoopers, Government has allocated some $10 million dollars to address salary improvements under the recommendations of the review, however, no ...

Governor Rankin has pushed back his departure from the Territory to mid January. He is now expected to depart on or around 19 January 2024. Initially, his term was expected to end with the close of the year, and a new Governor ushered in by the start of the new year. Governor Rankin has served through one of the BVI’s most turbulent times, with the ushering in of the COI, it’s Recommendations, initiating of the controversial order in counsel, arrests of many local officials, and the arrest of ...

Mr. Kyron McMaster is the Territory’s newest recipient of an OBE from His Majesty The King for his contributions to sport in the British Virgin Islands.Kyron McMaster, at 21 years old, won the British Virgin Islands’ first ever Commonwealth Games medal after placing 1st in the 400m hurdles at the Gold Coast 2018 Games in Australia. This was in the aftermath of the 2017 devastating hurricane, which destroyed homes, livelihoods and all training facilities. The hurricane also sadly claimed the li...

The Department of Human Resources is preparing to launch a new talent management system, dubbed TALEO. The system aims at streamlining the Government’s on-boarding and employee management services.In the coming weeks, individuals aspiring to become public officers will be able to access the new system through the Government’s website, view current openings, apply for a position, and receive status updates on their application through their created account and emails.The introduction of the sys...

Eleven (11) individuals are now registered as British Citizens after being previously naturalised as British Overseas Territories Citizens.During a ceremony held at the Government House on Tuesday, December 19, the individuals recited the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty the King, as well as the Pledge of Loyalty to the United Kingdom.The new citizens also received congratulatory remarks from His Excellency the Governor, John J. Rankin CMG and Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro.Go...

Sixty Five (65) persons are now British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTC) of the Virgin Islands, having taken the Oath of Allegiance and Pledge of Loyalty.The new citizens were processed during a ceremony held at Government House on December 14. Congratulatory remarks were made by His Excellency the Governor John J. Rankin CMG, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley and Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro.Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro congratulated th...

Earlier this month, HMP Balsam Gut welcomed Ms. Laura Mitcheson (Head of Tactical Response, His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service).The week-long visit focused on staff training, security risk assessments, contingency plans and improving standards.This marks the first of several planned deployments to bolster the Prison’s capabilities.His Excellency the Governor John Rankin CMG said “I am pleased to see the positive impact that the new Superintendent, Jay Kendall, has already made. This tra...

The Department of Waste Management has stepped up its effort to rid the Virgin Islands of derelict vehicles as the year draws to a close.Director of the Department of Waste Management Mr. Marcus Solomon said the department managed to tag and successfully move over seven hundred derelict vehicles from the Virgin Islands.  The derelicts were taken from both Tortola and Virgin Gorda.Mr. Solomon said, “We have also removed scrap metals as well as bulk waste such as refrigerators, stoves, washing ma...