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...

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...

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 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 ...

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-Madu...

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 congra...

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 alr...

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, ...

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 ...

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 highlig...

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...

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 dum...

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. ...

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 a...

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 Communicatio...

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 ...

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...