On one of the heaviest travel days of the year, ferry service from the Waterfront is limited to two (2) ferries, with the last ferry for the day leaving at 11am for St. Thomas. Through calls from frustrated travelers to our newsroom, guests have had to return to their hotels, and locals to their homes, and forced to rebook flights. Some travelers have resorted to booking private charters. A travelers worst nightmare. In reaching out to one ferry company, we were advised that the schedu...

The BVI Airports Authority (the Authority) recently honoured senior Firefighters, Messrs. Richard Penn and Kemuel Merry, who will officially retire from the service on December 31.The officers commenced their aviation firefighting career in December 1999 with the then Civil Aviation Department and were transferred to the BVI Airports Authority in June 2006.Remarks were delivered at the recognition ceremony by Director of People and Culture Mrs. Dawn Leonard on behalf of Managing Director Mr. Kur...

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) Hong Kong Office brought together staff from its office, the BVI Financial Services Commission – Hong Kong, as well as students of the BVI Asia Abroad Scholarship Programme in its annual Christmas lunch last Saturday.Director of the BVI Hong Kong Office, Dr. Ricardo Wheatley said the festive gathering on December 21 provided a warm and meaningful opportunity for the students to connect with one another and celebrate the season.Dr. Wheatley said, “We a...

We are understanding that a family dispute has temporarily shuttered Alphonso Gas Station in East End. Customers have said they were unable to enter the establishment this morning. Images sent to our newsroom early this morning, show trucks blocking the entrance to the gas station, stopping customers from being serviced. We are not sure what may have caused the dispute, however Guavaberry Media will keep you updated on this developing story. 

The BVI Government’s Representative Office in Hong Kong Celebrated its 10 Year Anniversary having opened its doors in 2013-2014 as a shared space with the with BVI Financial Services Commission Representative Office. Opening some 11 years after BVI’s London Office, its opening was a watershed moment in the modern history of the Virgin Islands, extending the BVI Government’s management of its own economic interests beyond the Caribbean, Europe, and North America into the Asia-Pa...

The Office of the Deputy Governor and the Department of Human Resources have launched a Job Evaluation Project for the Public Service.Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome said through the project, the team would utilise data on job profiles within the Public Service to determine the relative value the role brings to the organisation.The project will be executed jointly by the Office of the Deputy Governor and the Department of Human Resources wh...

On Monday 9th December, the Inquiries Act, 2024 came into force. This is the first new piece of primary legislation to be brought into force as a result of the Commission of Inquiry.The Act repeals and replaces the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1880, and will be used to govern any future public inquiries in the Virgin Islands. The Act sets new rules for appointing commissioners and describes the powers an inquiry will have.Governor Pruce said “I am delighted that we now have a modern and rob...

The Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) are the Inter-Secondary Division Chess Tournament 2024 winners in both junior and senior divisions.Shamoy Joseph placed first, Jordan Hinds placed second, while Rayante Edwards from St. Georges’ Secondary School placed third in the Senior Secondary Division.In the junior division, the top three students are Dimitri Fungfook of ESHS who placed first, and remained undefeated throughout the tournament, Royson Adams of ESHS placed second, while Ms. Shane-An...

This Christmas, the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital (DDOSH) experienced the true spirit of giving, thanks to the thoughtful contributions of Ogier, Smiths Gore, and the Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town. Their generosity brought comfort and joy to patients and staff, making the holiday season brighter for everyone.The Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town donated pillows, hospital gowns, and self-care kits to the Emergency Room on Giving Tuesday. They also decorated the grand Christm...

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley has expressed gratitude to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) for its donation of Christmas gifts to more than 100 children across the Territory.The Government of the Virgin Islands partnered with the FCCA and the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) to bring holiday joy by distributing Christmas gifts to the children at the YEP Headquarters in East End December 16.  Staff from the MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship entertaine...

The multi-faceted community development programme, Roots & Resilience: Together We Thrive, presented by the Territorial At-Large Representative, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, was launched on Friday, 6th December, 2024. The Paint the Town: Community Beautification Project was identified as the firstproject to be implemented. East End along with Long Look and Anegada communities were chosen to be the first recipients of the initiative. Hon. Smith, stated, “The Terrance B. Lettsome Inte...

In a recent communication from the British Virgin Islands Banking Association, businesses were advised to refrain from charging a minimum for card purchases or imposing of processing fees on card transactions. While the association claims that such practices are illegal, it does not reference any specific laws or provisions to support this assertion. In fact, our initial review indicates that there is no existing legislation in the BVI prohibiting businesses from charging fees for credit card tr...

Green VI happily invites all VI residents to join in and help make the Holiday Season bright, green and sustainable!  Let’s embrace eco-friendly ways to say “Happy Holidays” and “I Love You” by re-thinking past customs and embracing creative new approaches to gifting, shopping, cooking, decorating and more. Here’s some tips for a “VI Green” Season of caring, sharing and living healthier:  Gift Experiences Instead of Things by gifting...

Deputy Governor, Mr. David Archer, Jr. is acting in the Office of Governor until 6th January, 2025 in the absence of His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Daniel Pruce, who is 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 perf...

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has been made aware of a video circulating on social media that appears to advocate for the use of violence as a form of political expression. Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Kenrick Davis stated that the contents of the video may involve material that crosses the threshold for serious criminal offenses. He emphasized that while everyone has the constitutional right to freedom of expression, it does not permit individuals to express anything without ...

More than 400 public officers received a detailed presentation on the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 2024 and their role in ensuring its smooth implementation.The Public Service Management Act, 2024 sets forth a historic shift for the Public Service, serving as a mechanism that will help to guide the continued transformation of the Public Service into a world-class organisation.The Act also formally establishes systems of accountability and transparency, including requiring cer...

Officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Financial Investigation Agency, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Attorney General’s Chambers have undergone a specialist UK-funded two-week training course, delivered by the UK’s National Crime Agency Proceeds of Crime Centre.From 26 November to 6 December, a cohort of law enforcement officers and officials from the Virgin Islands had the opportunity to expand and strengthen their capabilities in financial inv...

More than Seven Hundred (700) public officers were honoured for their years of service during a recent Public Service Employee Recognition Ceremony.The officers received a certificate and tokens of appreciation for their 10, 20 and 30 years of service during the ceremony held in November.The ceremony was held jointly by the Office of the Deputy Governor and Department of Human Resources as part of Public Service Week and was was aimed at collectively recognising public officers who have displaye...

His Majesty's Customs Department is calling on the public to join the fight against illicit drug trafficking after a significant drug seizure this week.This appeal follows the successful interception of a major drug importation operation by officers of His Majesty's Customs Department. The seizure took place during a routine inspection on December 10, 2024, when officers discovered a substantial number of packages containing green vegetable matter suspected to be cannabis.Acting Commissi...

LIAT Airlines (2020) Limited made its inaugural flight to the Virgin Islands through the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, on the evening of Sunday, December 8, marking a significant milestone in enhancing regional connectivity. The flight to the Virgin Islands symbolises a renewed commitment to providing reliable and affordable air travel across the Caribbean. Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, Premier of the Virgin Islands, expressed his enthusiasm for this new service; “...