The Government of the Virgin Islands has appointed five members to the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Grant Selection Committee. This committee will oversee the MSME Grant Programme, which aims to provide financial support to local small businesses, stimulate innovation, create jobs, and foster sustainable economic growth.Following a formal application process and subsequent Cabinet approval, the appointments became effective on October 1, 2024. The newly appointed committee members ...

Information reaching our newsroom indicates that the Premier and Minister for Finance, the Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley, is gearing up to spend close to one million dollars to bring Vybz Kartel to the BVI. We understand that he is working closely with a prominent local promoter. The Premier has come under heavy fire for what appears to be constant mismanagement of the Territory’s funds, most recently funding a failed million dollar music festival earlier this year. He has been dubb...

 Mr. Joseph Smith-Abbot and Ms. Tasha Bertie have been confirmed as Permanent Secretaries within the Ministries of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Health and Social Development, respectively.Their appointments were confirmed having served in an acting capacity and is in accordance with Section 24 (1) of the Service Commission Regulations.As Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Smith-Abbot and Ms. Bertie are responsible for guiding the day-to-day delivery of their mini...

The Government of the Virgin Islands has said that it is actively monitoring the strike by the dockworkers at ports along the eastern seaboard of the United States that is affecting ports from Maine to Texas.“I am pleased to inform you that the British Virgin Islands Port Authority (BVIPA) has confirmed that all scheduled shipments for October are expected to proceed without interruption. Meanwhile, the West Palm Beach Port, a vital hub for Tropical Shipping—the primary carrier for o...

Newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Mr. Simon Springette is paying a two day visit to the Virgin Islands.  Mr. Springette’s visit is scheduled for October 1 to 2 and marks a significant step in strengthening collaboration on sustainable development initiatives.Mr. Springette will present his credentials to Premier Dr. Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley and engage in discussions on the importance of joint efforts in addressing the Virgin Isla...

The British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has partnered with Back to Life Limited, a UK-based life support training company, to enhance the emergency response skills of healthcare professionals across the Territory. This collaboration is a key component of BVIHSA’s strategic plan to achieve accreditation from the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK), setting a new benchmark for emergency care in the Territory.Back to Life Limited, with more than 32 years of experience in lif...

We have heard the story told, over the years, of the noble Queer Esther and the part she played in saving the lives of her people from the hubris of Haman.  Her genius was in involving her people in the solution.Our Representatives, the 13, have been busy.  They are almost daily in the people’s House passing legislation to comply with the prescriptive dictates of Sir Gary Hickinbottom’s COI report.Their hard work, we hope, will contribute to the tapestry of good govern...

Seven Centenarians were honoured by the Social Development Department for reaching the incredible milestone of 100 years.Mrs. Enelle Smith and Mrs. Emogene Augusta Creque both 105 years old, Mr. Evelyn Hodge 101 and Ms. Christeen Hodge 100 residing on Tortola; Mrs Betty Yates age 102, Mrs. Floresa George and Mrs. Iris Leonel Harrigan both age 101 were honoured by the department for their wisdom and contributions to the Virgin Islands community, as the Territory observed National Centenarian Day ...

Director to Waste Management, Mr. Marcus Solomon has praised the efforts of the Virgin Islands community for its contribution to the recycling programme.Mr. Solomon said 46 bales of plastics were exported to Honduras during this month for recycling which shows that the community diverted almost 700,000 plastic bottles away from our waste stream. The director said the concept of recycling is relatively new to the Virgin Islands and that it is was a pleasure to see that the programme is growi...

Officials from the Public Health Unit and the Environmental Health Division are uniting forces and forging an alliance with the community to reduce mosquito breeding.Chief Environmental Health Officer Mr. Lionel Michael said “We want to take action at the community level to reduce mosquito breeding and mosquito breeding sites. We will be coming into communities with high mosquito indices to see how we can work together to reduce vector issues within those communities.”The health offi...

Members of Robotics Team BVI are featured as they left the Territory to represent the Virgin Islands in for the FIRST Global Robotics Competition in Athens, Greece. The students are Mr. Amani Brown, Ms. Michaela Jack, Mr. Kh’Mouri Anthony, Ms. Judiah Case of the Elmore Stoutt High School and Mr. Elyon Jones of the H Lavity Stoutt Community College. They are accompanied by coaches Mr. Andre Roberts, Mrs. Caren Cuffy-Jules, Ms. Lauren Welch, and Ms. Renee Weston. Learn more about Team B...

Road Town Wholesale has introduced the ‘Round Up For Charity’ initiative to the Virgin Islands, encouraging customers to round up their cents at the register, in aid of local charities. The initiative which started in July is proving to be a success straight away, with the Family Support Network (FSN) being the most recent recipient.During the month of August, thanks to customers who rounded up their change at the checkouts, RTW raised an incredible $2,720.00 for their August Ch...

Heads do not usually roll in the BVI public service and certainly not for dereliction of duty.  But a head has been demanded over the fiasco of a closed clinic on a sister island that may have contributed to the death of a citizen on 30th August.But who or what is to blame?  Is it the representative for the district who appears to lack aggression in protecting his community?Is it the Minister for Health and Social Development who, by his inference, misses his former appointment and may...

The controversy over whether a Teacher should be sent home pending the results of an alleged ongoing sexual assault on a student, has reached a fever pitch. Information on the matter was brought into the public light when our media house released an article on Saturday September 14th, surrounding the alleged matter. Local Activist Cindy Rosan took to her social media platform on Monday September 16th to raise further awareness on the egregious matter and ask for the Minister responsibl...

Former disgraced Premier and District 1 Representative Andrew A Fahie has filed his Appeal in a Florida Court yesterday Thursday 19 September. Fahie’s lawyers in an earlier court filing had said that he was having trouble raising the money to pay an appeals attorney, which could cost $35,000 or more in complex cases.Fort Lauderdale attorney Richard Della Fera, who represented Fahie after his February conviction, paid the $605 appeals filing fee himself on Thursday, saying it was ...

The Taxi and Livery Commission is issuing a reminder to all operators in the Virgin Islands that unauthorised design and construction of vehicles intended for operation under a taxi permit is strictly prohibited. Director of the Taxi and Livery Commission, Mr. Jevaughn Parson, emphasised that according to the Road Traffic (Taxi-Cab) Regulations 1993, reg. 15, it is illegal for any taxi permit holder or applicant to: a.  Alter or modify the design of a motor vehicle operated under ...

Director of Waste Management Mr. Marcus Solomon continues to seek the public’s support in reducing derelict vehicles throughout the Territory.  Mr. Solomon said approximately 200 plus derelicts were tagged for the year thus far, and more than 53,000 pounds of scrap metal exported.   “We need the support of the community to keep the derelict situation under control.  We want you to contact the department and report derelicts,” Mr. Solomon said. He added,...

The Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade has officially appointed new members to the governing Board of Commissioners of the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission.Mr. Gerard St. Clair Farara KC has been appointed as the Chairman for a three-year term commencing on August 1, 2024. Mr. Farara is a highly experienced financial services professional with a distinguished career in the law. He has served as a Commercial Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and...

Our newsroom has received unconfirmed reports of gunfire in Cane Garden Bay just a short few minutes ago. Some persons have reported sightings of masked men. We understand the Police are on the scene.Guavaberry will keep you posted on this breaking story.

Chairman of the BVIHSA Board Ron Potter has confirmed via a press release today Sunday September 15th, that he will not resign as Chairman of the Board and has stated that he is unaware of any strain in relationship between the Minister of the subject Honourable Vincent Wheatley, and himself. “I confirm that I was requested via a WhatsApp message by the Honourable Minister to resign my position as Chairman in light of the recent regrettable and tragic events affecting healthcare servi...