The Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour & Trade the Honourable Lorna Smith has formed an Adhoc Committee of some 14 persons across industries to review the minimum wage in the Territory. “As I have been pondering the best way forward, I have determined that the most effective approach is to establish an advisory committee to undertake a review of what the most appropriate level of the minimum wage should be.” Honourable Smith said. The minimum wag...

UK Minister Mike Freer MP, from the Ministry of Justice, visited the BVI between Sunday 5 to Tuesday 7 November. The purpose of the visit was for the Minister to see first-hand the opportunities and challenges in the BVI justice system, and to identify areas for further partnership with the UK.On Monday, Minister Freer met the Premier, Dr. the Hon Natalio Wh...

Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye Rymer said that the rehabilitation of the water infrastructure in the Territory will be costly but that a comprehensive review of water distribution in the Territory is underway.In his statement at the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly, Minister Rymer said his ministry is addressing concerns from the public related to the water woes residents are facing and explained the contractual components of the agreem...

Police have confirmed this morning’s shooting victim as Julio Rivera, a 25-year-old resident of Purcell Estate.He was found with multiple gunshot wounds about his body in the main parking lot on Wickham’s Cay I, and subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.Officers of the Major Crime Team have since launched investigations into the matter.Persons with information in relation to this incident can confidentially contact the Crime Stoppers line 800-8477 (TIPS) or overseas cal...

The Government of the Virgin Islands has issued a tender notice for Asphalt Paving and Road Markings throughout the Territory to address over thirty-eight miles of primary roads. Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye Rymer in his statement at the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly, said he is grateful to the Minister of Finance for his support and commitment to secure loan funding to allow the Ministry of Communications and Works to comprehensiv...

Sixteen Junior Customs Officers have completed a one month training course facilitated through the Caribbean Customs Law. The Junior Officers Basic (JOB) training saw the junior officers receiving training in several areas including communication, ethics and integrity, cargo reporting and processes, tariff preferences, and clarification and accounting.Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor Mrs. Sharlene DaBreo Lettsome said, “It is extremely important that our Custom...

The RVIPF would like to emphasize its ongoing concern regarding the increase in occurrences of both commercial and residential burglaries. In these burglary incidents, the perpetrators frequently make off with a range of electronic devices, including laptop computers, mobile phones, and gaming consoles.We urge the public to remain vigilant for individuals selling these items, especially if the prices are significantly lower than the market value. The RVIPF also urges individuals to promptly repo...

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) will arrive in BVI this weekend to begin the fieldwork phase of the comprehensive review of the Territory’s law enforcement agencies.The review will look at the structure, resources and funding, and conduct and standards among other matters, of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), HM Customs, Immigration and the Prison Service. The Attorney General’s Chambers, Director of Public Prosecut...

Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye Rymer has stated that the completed new West End Ferry Terminal will be designed to process up to 200 passengers per hour, or 200,000 passengers per year.In his statement at the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly, Minister Rymer said the new terminal will more than double the size of the previous facility, and Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency, (RDA) is ably managing its design and construction.The M...

“When someone finally asked the chicken why he crossed the road;  His answer was:“I got my reasons.”The Opposition walked out of the House of Assembly on Tuesday.  They were indignant that their 115 or so questions were being shifted to a lower slot on the programme of the day.Oh, how jealous the neglected elderly of the territory are about that move.  They wish that their plight could provoke any response from the Honorable House, let alone something so dramatic...

The Virgin Islands made history when Ms. Naomi Onwufuju was recently crowned Regional “Junior Ambassador of Tourism” at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Youth Congress held in the Turks and Caicos Islands.Ms Onwufuju, a student at the Elmore Stoutt High School competed against representatives from 14 other Caribbean Islands and is the first Virgin Islands Ambassador to secure this prestigious title.In her presentation at the 2023 Regional Tourism Conference, Naomi stated th...

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force conducted a search operation in the Brandywine Bay area on October 28, 2023, leading to the subsequent arrest and charging of one male individual.Aleem Fahie, 28 of Brandywine Bay, has been charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug With Intent to Supply and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug. During his appearance in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 31 October, he was granted bail in the amount of $100,000 with one s...

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force intercepted a suspicious vehicle after 11 pm on October 28, while on routine patrol in the Fat Hog’s Bay area.The vehicle was stopped and searched, and a quantity of drugs were found. Two male occupants of the vehicle were subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession. The scene was revisited the following morning, and a firearm was found in nearby bushes.Keanus Smart, 18 of Free Bottom and Khaleed Francis, 24 of Nottingham Estate were b...

The Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital wishes to inform the public that effective immediately, there will be a temporary interruption to its Pharmacy Services.  Starting Tuesday October 31, 2023, and continuing through to November 29, 2023, our outpatient pharmacy services will be accessible exclusively through WhatsApp at (284) 440-1726 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on those two days. Medications ordered via WhatsApp during this period can be picked up on our reg...

Akeem Pickering, former employee of The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) has been brought back and appointed Managing Director of the Ports effective 1st November 2023.The position became available after the arrest of former Port Boss Oleavine Maynard in Miami April 2022 on drugs and money laundering charges. She later pleaded guilty to the charges. Mr. Pickering's appointment was approved by the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands for an initial period of two years, in accordan...

The Minister for Financial Services, Labour & Trade, the Honourable Lorna Smith OBE, moved a motion in the House of Assembly yesterday Tuesday 31 October to temporarily suspend the Trade Commission Act for up to one year, 12 months. The Minister said that she needed time to review the Act to ensure its viability and effectiveness. The Act came into effect on 21 November 2022, through Statutory Instrument S.I. 103 of 2022.The Minister said after assuming office at the end of April 2023, it be...

The Public Service 101 course attended by 120 public officers has been labelled a ‘resounding success’.Deputy Governor, Mr. David D. Archer Jr. said the launch of the Public Service 101 course was a momentous occasion in the Department of Human Resources’ history, and by extension, the continued success and development of the Public Service.The Deputy Governor said, “A lot of dedication was put into ensuring we develop this course into the incredible vision that was caste...

The Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital has received high praises for its processes and level of care from the St. Lucian Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Honourable Moses Jean Baptiste.Honourable Jean Baptiste was on an official visit to the Virgin Islands where he attended the OECS Council of Health Ministers meeting.On a visit to the hospital, Honourable Jean Baptiste said he was very pleased with the processes and level of care, and that he has learned a lot from the Virgin Island...

We thought Agriculture would have become the third economic pillar for the Territory when Hon. Omar Hodge conceived the idea of building greenhouses.However, the very sector they were developed to assist, made such a ruckus that Hon. Hodge lost his equilibrium and, just like that, the people forgot about ‘the people’s man.’ The green houses, over $5 million of investment, were left for Hurricane Irma to blow away without having produced as much as a single tomato for the T...

Government of the Virgin Islands will continue its focus on the preservation and advancement of the Territory’s culture in activities to observe Culture and Tourism month.Director of Culture Dr. Katherine Smith said the month of activities will begin on November 1 and will be observed under the theme, “Our Virgin Islands, Our Story: Tell Your Story”. Activities planned for the month will also highlight the historical significance of key heritage sites in the Virgin Islands, and...