Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie is away from the Virgin Islands from today attending the annual Overseas Territories (OT) Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in the United Kingdom (UK), which will be the first JMC in-person meeting since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley is Acting Premier effective Saturday, November 13 to Monday, November 22, 2021.
Honourable Wheatley’s appointment is in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of the Premier.
According to Director of Communications Dr. Arliene T. Penn, while in the UK, the Premier will meet with the new Overseas Territories Minister, The Right Honourable Amanda Milling, and other UK Ministers and OT Leaders, with whom he will discuss priority areas for engagement and cooperation.
Dr. Penn said, “The Premier looks forward to wide ranging discussions on sustainable development, COVID-19, VI-UK relations, economic resilience, post-Brexit matters, the environment and climate change, among other things.”
The Premier’s delegation includes Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone; Permanent Secretary for Premier’s Office, Dr. Carolyn O’Neal-Morton; Acting Financial Secretary, Mr. Jeremiah Frett; Director International Affairs Secretariat, Ms. Najan Christopher, Director of Communications, Dr. Arliene T. Penn; Special Envoy of the Premier, Mr. Benito Wheatley; Acting Director and UK/EU Representative BVI London Office, Ms. Tracy Bradshaw.