Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley has denied having discussions with former Deputy Premier Hon. Lorna G. Smith, OBE, about rejoining the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government in the House of Assembly.

Speaking to JTV today, February 6, following a contract signing for the territory’s inaugural Solar Technology and Energy program, Hon. Wheatley addressed speculation following a report suggesting he had been in talks with Smith. “I want all of them to come over, all of them—but no, I have not engaged Hon. Smith in any discussion about coming over,” he stated. However, the premier acknowledged reaching out to her for assistance on financial services matters.

Smith, who was dismissed from the government on October 23, 2024, has also refuted claims that she has returned to the VIP government.

“It is not true. I continue to serve the people of this territory to the best of my ability as an independent member of the Opposition,” Smith asserted. Pressed on whether she had ongoing discussions with the premier about rejoining the government, she declined to elaborate, saying, “I have no further comment.”

Smith, who was appointed Deputy Premier and Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade after the April 2023 general elections, was removed from office via an official letter from Premier Wheatley that morning.

“At approximately 8:00 a.m. this morning, I received a letter from the Hon. Premier stating he requested that His Excellency the Governor revoke my appointment,” Smith said in a statement at the time.

Her departure resulted in Third District Representative Julian Fraser’s appointment as Deputy Premier. Fraser, a former VIP member and chairman of the Progressives United party, has aligned himself with the ruling VIP government. Wheatley defended the leadership change as a necessary step for ensuring stability.

“This is a necessary change to the composition of the government that provides my administration with political stability and a wealth of knowledge and experience which will serve us well over the course of this House of Assembly,” Wheatley said at the time. “Political stability is critical at this time to ensure we finalize the completion of governance reforms and effectively address the recommendations of the mutual evaluation report.”

Smith, initially elected as a Territorial-At-Large representative under the National Democratic Party (NDP), broke ranks to help form the VIP-led administration before ultimately resigning from the NDP.

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The Virgin Islands economy is stagnating, plagued by crumbling infrastructure and a lack of strategic direction, according to Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton. Speaking at the January 17 press conference, Skelton criticised the government’s heavy reliance on cruise tourism and called for urgent reforms to revitalise the economy and improve residents’ quality of life.

“The economy is stagnant,” Skelton declared. “One of the major things the government relies on now is cruise tourism. While it’s doing well for our taxi drivers, restaurants, and tour guides, the local economy desperately needs a shot in the arm.”

Skelton highlighted the dire state of the territory’s infrastructure, citing roads, water systems, electricity, and waste management as areas in critical need of attention. Despite the allocation of $100 million for road repairs, he noted little visible progress.

“We can all see the disrepair. The roads are crumbling, the water infrastructure is failing, and garbage and derelict vehicles are piling up. Yet, the government doesn’t seem to have the capacity to fix these issues,” Skelton said.

He urged the government to tap into the Opposition’s expertise to address these persistent challenges. “We are advocating that the government utilise the skill set of the Opposition to help get these things done in the best interest of our people and our country.”

While the government recently announced record-breaking tourism numbers, with over one million visitors surpassing pre-2016 levels, Skelton questioned the effectiveness of this growth in boosting the local economy. He pointed out that cruise tourism accounts for 70-75% of these figures, with only 300,000 overnight visitors.

“Overnight guests contribute significantly more direct revenue to the local economy than cruise tourists,” he explained. “The government must shift its focus to attracting more overnight guests and ensuring sustainable tourism development.”

Skelton also criticised the government’s handling of the Tourism Conference held on Peter Island from January 13 to 14, where industry leaders and stakeholders discussed the future of tourism. He expressed frustration that the Opposition was invited only at the last minute.

“As members of the Opposition, we were not invited until the last second, and by then, we already had prior commitments. That’s a mistake on the government’s part and a missed opportunity for collaboration,” he said.

Skelton concluded with a call for the government to prioritise infrastructure repairs and adopt a more inclusive approach to governance. He stressed the importance of diversifying economic strategies to ensure long-term sustainability.

“Our people deserve better,” Skelton stated. “The government must stop making excuses and start making real progress. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the lives and livelihoods of the people we serve.”

District Six Representative Hon. Myron Walwyn has issued a powerful call to action, demanding that the government address the British Virgin Islands’ crumbling infrastructure and move beyond what he described as a “defensive posture.” Speaking passionately on behalf of frustrated residents, Walwyn criticised the government’s failure to provide a reliable water supply, address poorly maintained roads, and ensure cleanliness across the territory.

“I am tired, and I’m sure that people are as well, of the defensive posture of this government when this issue is raised,” Walwyn said. “The blaming of previous governments is not helpful, and it’s frankly a demonstration of immaturity, which has become a hallmark of this government.”

One of Walwyn’s primary concerns was the territory’s ongoing struggles with inconsistent access to potable water. He called for immediate investment in the Water and Sewerage Department, highlighting the dedication of workers who are hindered by inadequate resources.

“The workers in the department are doing their best, but they are not getting the support and the resources necessary to effectively discharge their duties,” he said.

Walwyn urged the government to prioritise resolving the water crisis, a challenge that has persisted for far too long.

Walwyn also condemned the state of the territory’s roadways, citing delays, poor planning, and a lack of transparency in infrastructure projects. He specifically referenced the road between Manchester and Belle Vue, which remains nearly impassable weeks after being dug up for pipe installation.

“The terrible road infrastructure in the territory continues to prevail,” he said. “I am yet to see the wisdom in digging up roads all over the territory all at once with insufficient action to follow to fix them. If the government has a plan to fix the road infrastructure, they are certainly doing a great job at hiding it.”

Despite assurances that resurfacing work would begin last Saturday, Walwyn noted that no progress has been made, nor has any reliable update been provided.

The representative also raised alarm about the impact of derelict vehicles and overgrown vegetation, particularly during the peak tourist season.

“We are in the heart of the tourist season, and we have not found a proper way to address these issues,” he said. “This lacklustre approach to the cleanliness of our country cannot be allowed to continue.”

Walwyn’s comments come as the government nears its sixth year in office, a milestone he argues should be marked by progress, not excuses.