Local News
Rennea Powell Appointed BVI Red Cross New Chair
The British Virgin Islands Red Cross has announced a new Board with Rennea Powell as Chair.
Board members – Estaban Smith, Micheal B. Matthews, Theodore John, Secretary Maria Abraham, and Treasurer Sylvia Romney-Moses – were appointed during the non-profit’s annual general meeting on June 19 in Road Town, Tortola.
Powell, who previously served as secretary and vice-chair, replaces Troy K. Christopher who was appointed Chairman in 2020
BVI Red Cross Director Stacy Lloyd welcomed Powell as the new Chair and noted that the new Board reflects the diversity of the organisation’s volunteer base.
“I am happy to welcome Ms. Powell as our new Chairperson as well as the other new Board members. Our Board reflects the diversity of our volunteer base. I am confident that this new elected Board will continue to propel the organisations from strength to strength in line with our mission of assisting the most vulnerable population during crisis,” Lloyd said.
The Board will uphold the core ethos and values of the Red Cross with a key objective ” to mobilise the power of humanity so that individuals and communities have the capacity to prepare for, deal with and recover from crisis.”
The statement explained that the Board “sets and reviews policies, maintains the organisation’s financial integrity and evaluates its operations and effectiveness. Its role includes safeguarding the long-term reputation and assets of the Branch, and appointing the Director, who is responsible for the operational management of the organisation.”
The BVI Red Cross, which was established here in 1956, is the oldest non-profit in the territory.
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Tola Radio Battles Legal Dispute Over Shutdown, Calls for Public Support
Tola Radio VI 100.5 FM, known as “the people’s radio,” has been off the air for 14 days amidst a legal standoff with Caribbean Cellular Telephone Limited (CCT). Managing Director Floyd P. Burnett, also known as “Heritage,” is urging public support as the station navigates what he describes as a targeted attack on freedom of speech and locally-owned businesses.
Mr. Burnett alleges that despite meeting all payment requirements and deadlines, CCT refused to accept Tola Radio’s payment and later disabled the station’s broadcasting equipment. “They physically touched our equipment and locked them off, despite written legal letters asking and instructing it not to be done,” he stated.
The dispute follows CCT’s October announcement terminating its service agreement with the radio station. CCT clarified that Tola Radio could retain its services if it became a paying customer, but according to Burnett, his payment was rejected without justification.
The controversy escalated when Burnett claimed an attempt was made to have him arrested and charged with attempted murder. “The public was to wake up and hear the radio off along with hearing I was arrested and charged, but God is greater than man!” he said.
Efforts to secure an extension for relocating Tola Radio’s equipment were also denied, Burnett said. Additionally, an urgent injunction filed in the High Court was postponed by a visiting judge until November 22 without hearing any arguments.
The ongoing shutdown has left eight employees without income, caused significant financial losses, and breached client agreements. Burnett criticized government officials for their lack of action, accusing them of failing to address the issue despite the government being a major client of CCT.
“Like most problems facing the BVI, they can’t [find] no way to help us! Even though the government is the tower people’s biggest client,” Burnett remarked.
Burnett is calling on the public to boycott CCT in protest. “Plug out the phone, plug out the chip, don’t pay your bill! We need to make a statement to corporate BVI today!” he urged.
He framed the situation as a broader fight for “freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of information,” asserting that the attack on Tola Radio sets a dangerous precedent for other local businesses.
Despite the challenges, Burnett assured Tola Radio’s listeners and partners that the station will resume broadcasting soon. “We will be back on air shortly, hopefully before the day is out,” he promised.
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