Honourable Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull, Representative for the 2nd District, has called for urgent attention to the compensation packages offered to healthcare professionals in the territory. During a recent debate in the House of Assembly, he emphasized the need to raise compensation for doctors and nurses, citing concerns about losing skilled professionals to neighbouring territories such … Continued
Last week, BVI residents once again found themselves at the mercy of a brutal heatwave, with temperatures spiking to a heat index of 103 degrees Fahrenheit. While many of us cherish the sun’s warmth as part of island life, this scorching weather has become increasingly relentless—reaching new, unbearable highs over recent months. As frequent heat … Continued
Hon. Myron Walwyn, Representative for the Sixth District, has voiced concerns over certain aspects of new legislation to guide statutory boards, despite welcoming efforts to standardize mechanisms. During a recent session of the House of Assembly, Walwyn scrutinized several sections of the National Parks Trust (Amendment) bill, including those concerning board member qualifications and requirements, … Continued
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley is set to lay several important audit reports before the House of Assembly, as outlined in the order paper of the current sitting. These documents are part of the ongoing reforms following the Commission of Inquiry (COI). The audits are the latest in a series … Continued
The Tourist Board Amendment Bill was recently laid in the House of Assembly. It is among a slew of bills that was introduced ahead of the most recent COI deadline, designed to strengthen governance of statutory boards. Among other provisions, the proposed law outlines procedures for appointing and removing statutory board members. Mover of the … Continued
Concerns over the BVI’s tourism product and the need for more holistic investments in the sector were raised by Hon. Julien Fraser, Member for the Third District, during a recent session of the House of Assembly. While acknowledging the Territory’s natural assets of “Sand, Sea and Air” as appealing to visitors, Fraser questioned whether this … Continued
During a debate on the “Tourist Board (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” Hon. Marlon Penn, Member for the 8th District, raised concerns about the legality of the BVI Tourist Board’s continued assumption of duties which are still legally held by the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee. Penn argued that without proper legislative action, the Tourist Board’s … Continued
The Territory is bracing for another period of extreme heat, with officials warning of potentially dangerous conditions lasting through Thursday. The Department of Disaster Management issued an alert Tuesday, forecasting temperatures in the low 90s Fahrenheit (32-34 Celsius) and heat index values exceeding 103°F (39°C), particularly during midday hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. … Continued
Government officials are defending the pace of reforms following another missed deadline, emphasizing the importance of democratic processes over rigid timelines. Deputy Premier Hon. Lorna Smith stressed that democracy should not be rushed while acknowledging significant progress in the reform process. Smith acknowledged challenges related to stringent deadlines, suggesting that the approach to the timeline … Continued
The Government of the Virgin Islands is actively seeking solutions to address the territory’s high insurance costs, with recent efforts including discussions with global insurance leaders in the United Kingdom. Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Hon. Lorna G. Smith, OBE, reported that during the recent official visit to the United … Continued
