Deputy Governor, Mr. David Archer, Jr. will act in the Office of Governor from December 22 to December 27 in the absence of His Excellency the Governor, Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG, who will be out of the Territory.Deputy Governor Archer Jr’s appointment is in accordance with section 37 (1) (a) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “During any period when the office of Governor is vacant, or the Governor is absent from the Virgin Islands or is for any other reason unable to ...

Virgin Gorda resident Mr. Sydney Wheatley has received the keys to his brand new home just in time for the holiday season.This latest handover is part of the Ministry of Health and Social Development’s Housing Recovery Assistance Programme. Mr. Wheatley is one of three sister island residents who have received their new home in the past three months under the programme.Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley stated that the handover on Virgin Gorda highlights t...

The UK Government and elected leaders of the British Overseas Territories, including the British Virgin Islands, have agreed a new Joint Declaration. The Declaration defines a new, more collaborative and ‘modern partnership’ between the UK and the OTs. The Declaration includes a commitment to practise the highest standards of governance, including in the areas of human rights, rule of law, integrity in public life and financial management.  New Joint Declaration agreed by UK Government and ele...

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) in collaboration with the Tortola Pier Park Ltd, British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) and local ship agent ROMASCO Group, commemorated the inaugural arrival of Celebrity Ascent with a plaque exchange ceremony.This event took place onboard the ship while it was berthed at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, Tortola with Staff Captain Maria Gotor and Minister of Communication and Works Honourable Kye Rymer.

The residents of Virgin Gorda are once again battling the remnants of an overnight fire flare up at the Virgin Gorda dump site. The dump burst into heavy flames late last night; the cause has not yet been identified. The fire has now been contained. It was just some days ago that the dump site on Tortola, the main island was also fully ablaze. The Minister for the subject, the Honourable Vincent Wheatley has asked residents to play a part in controlling what is going on at the dump sites by redu...

For the second year The WaterWheel Foundation is partnering with VISAR’s Winter Wonderland to provide a free night of skating on Wednesday, December 20th from  5 PM- 8:45 PM at Nanny Cay. This is a community event and all are encouraged to attend. Please note the following:  The box office will open at 4:45 PM and will be accepting in person registrations ONLY. Session Times: 5 PM, 5:45 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:15 PM, 8:00 PM, and 8:45PM. First come, first serve basis.  Guests can only book one skating s...

The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) would like to inform the public of the immediate closure of the Road Town Clinic, effective today, Tuesday, December 19, until Thursday, December 28, 2023.This temporary closure is due to essential maintenance and facility improvements. The clinic will resume normal operations on Friday, December 29, 2023.For medical assistance during this period, please visit the nearest available BVIHSA healthcare facility.We apologize for any inconvenience and apprec...

The main public healthcare organization -- the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) and the Territory’s main tertiary entity the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College signed a historical Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 14 December to formally enter into a healthcare/education development partnership.Both organizations are celebrating the MOU which now provides a structured approach to BVIHSA and HLSCC’s efforts to advance the standards of allied health education. This agreement aims to pro...

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) in collaboration with the Tortola Pier Park Ltd, British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) and local ship agent Island Shipping Trading Co. Ltd, commemorated the inaugural arrival of Norwegian’s second of five Prima-Class Ships, VIVA with a plaque exchange ceremony.This event took place onboard the ship while it was berthed at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, Tortola with Captain Kim Karlsson and Minister of Communication and Works Hon...

The fire raged on for hours and threatened everything in its path.  What was in its path is a multimillion-dollar incinerator plant and a more expensive operation next door, the BVI Electricity generating plant; Two national treasures.It was unfortunate that BVIEC should have been threatened.  After all, when the Government decided in the late eighties to move away from landfilling to incineration, it was BVIEC, under extreme pressure, that granted two acres of its land to Solid Waste Department...

Honourable Lorna Smith, Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services has pulled back on Beneficial Ownership Registers in the BVI in an effort to manage any human rights violation fallout on an international level  The Minister stated that the BVI will not push to implement publicly accessible registers of beneficial ownership in the financial services industry until all issues are fully vetted. The issue has been a point of contention with the UK for sometime now. There has been mounting ...

Young Virgin Islander Shaamuoy A. Baronville has been appointed new Deputy Director of the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry. At just 29 years old, Mr. Baronville brings a wealth of expertise, holding a Master's Degree in Maritime Administration and Logistics. Having served in various maritime capacities, including roles at the BVI Port Authority and the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry, he is well-prepared for this significant role.“I am honored to serve as the first Deputy Director of the Virg...

Officers of the Criminal Investigations Department have charged one female for theft following a report and comprehensive investigation.Luz Sanchez, 45, former employee of the Republic Bank and resident of Nottingham Estate, has been charged with sixteen counts of theft and one count of forgery at her former place of employment. She was bailed until her appearance at the Magistrate’s court on December 15, 2023.This incident underscores the Officers' commitment to addressing criminal activities ...

Information reaching our news room is that a former Senior Officer of  one of the BVI’s major banks was arrested yesterday 13 December at her new place of work. The allegations we understand is in relation to theft of more than some $100k dollars. We also understand that the said individual is also a member of the BVI Festival & Fairs Committee. There have been major concerns and leaked information of large sums of misplaced monies there as well.   We understand that Members became aware of the...

A petition signed by some 30 police officers calling for the removal of Commissioner Mark Collins is making the rounds. The petition dated November 25, 2023 and addressed to the Governor, John J Rankin outlines allegations of wrong doing on the part of the Commissioner, and calls for his immediate removal. Some of the alleged breaches in the letter include misconduct in public office, abuse of office and deceiving a witness. Some 30 plus allegations have been laid out in the petition. Mark Colli...

A Senior Government Official from HM Customs has been charged with Breach of Trust in Public Office. The charges were laid today 13 December.The Official will face court in early January. Further details to come. 

Shocking news for the Caribbean entertainment fraternity, Ricardo Drew, soca powerhouse has died. He is reported to have had a heart attack early Tuesday 12 December. According to the Antigua Observer, he was rushed to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre after being found unresponsive in his room, and had been scheduled to fly out of the island later the afternoon. The Antiguan born, who was at the pinnacle of his career was only 38. Drue who won a road March just this year, was engaged to fellow...

A massive fire has broken out at the Pockwood Pond Dump area in the early hours of this morning, and is ongoing. Attempts are being made to extinguish the flames. “Good morning, for those of you awakening to the smell of smoke, like me, there is a waste fire at Pockwood Pond. It is not a landfill fire but a fire of the waste area alongside the building where the trucks dump before the material is transported up the hill to the landfill. Fire and Rescue are on site and working to contain and ext...

In March of this year, the Virgin Islands underwent a mutual evaluation assessment by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the regional body of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), to measure the Virgin Islands’ compliance with the FATF’s recommendations and the effectiveness of its anti-money laundering and terrorist financing framework.Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade Honourable Lorna Smith said, “Although I was not in office during the assessment period, a...

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer is featured as he welcomed the pilots and crew members of the Caribbean Air Rally on their arrival at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island on December 6. The BVI Tourist Board facilitated the scheduled visit of the 20 aircraft to the Virgin Islands during the multi-island Caribbean Air Rally.