Local News
USVI Governor Declares State Of Emergency Due To Bovoni Landfill Fire
An ongoing fire at the Bovoni Landfill on St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) has forced Governor Albert Bryan Jr. on Tuesday to declare a state of emergency across the neighbouring territory.
The Bovoni Landfill fire has been a cause of concern since September 14, posing potential health and environmental risks across St Thomas.
“Smoke from the fire, which has been burning since September. 14, can be seen and smelled for miles and the resulting poor air quality has caused schools and businesses to close. The fire is not sustainably contained and external assistance is required to extinguish the flames below the surface of the green waste area of the Bovoni Landfill,” a September 20 government statement explained.
The declaration of a state of emergency will enable the government to access additional resources and assistance to expedite the containment and resolution of the fire.
A multi-agency emergency plan is being put in place to extinguish the fire on the USVI main island, which has just over 42,000 residents.
“The Executive Order that Governor Bryan issued designates Fire EMS Executive Director Daryl George as the incident commander to direct the territorial response and execute the directives for enforcement of the order and designates the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services as the lead agency to coordinate emergency response activities in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA).”
The statement added that “the Incident Commander and Director of VITEMA shall advise the Office of the Governor on the implementation of the emergency response activities.”
The USVI has three islands—St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas—and about 50 small islets and cays, with a population of just over 100,000 people.
It is a popular tourism destination with millions of holidaymakers visiting the territory yearly.
Local News
Virgin Islands Premier Concludes Key Talks in London, Sets Stage for Stronger UK Partnership
Entertainment
Thirteen Restaurants to Serve Up Lobster Delights at Anegada Lobster Festival 2024
Local News
British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission Welcomes New Leadership
The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC) has announced new appointments to its governing board, with Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC stepping in as Chairman and Ms. Patlian Johnson as Commissioner. The appointments, confirmed by the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, mark a new chapter for the commission as it seeks to strengthen the territory’s financial services sector.
Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC has been appointed to a three-year term as Chairman, effective August 1, 2024. A seasoned legal expert with a distinguished career, Farara currently serves as a Commercial Court Judge for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and leads the litigation team at the BVI office of COLLAS CRILL, formerly Farara Kerins. Farara’s prominence in the legal community is further highlighted by his appointment as Queen’s Counsel in 1996, cementing his standing as a leading figure in the Virgin Islands Bar and the broader Eastern Caribbean.
Ms. Patlian Johnson will serve a one-year term as Commissioner, also beginning on August 1, 2024. Johnson, a Strategy and Policy Advisor with extensive experience, currently holds the position of National Coordinator for the UNDP Project Office. She brings an impressive academic background, including a Master of Science in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting with First Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
The pair will replace outgoing Chairman Mr. Robin F. Gaul and Commissioner Mr. Melvin A. Turnbull, whose terms have concluded. Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), praised the new appointments, stating, “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Farara and Ms. Johnson to the BVIFSC Board of Commissioners. Their combined expertise will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the financial services sector.”
Smith also expressed gratitude to the departing board members for their significant contributions to the growth and stability of the territory’s financial services industry. According to the Government Information Service (GIS), these appointments underscore the Virgin Islands’ commitment to maintaining a well-regulated and competitive financial services sector.
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Search Underway After Vessel Capsizes Off Jost Van Dyke, One Dead, One Missing
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Oil Spill Forces Temporary Road Closure in Fish Bay
-
Local News1 week ago
Thirty-Six Naturalized as British Citizens in Ceremony at Government House
-
Education2 weeks ago
Eighty Virgin Islands Public Officers Complete Customer Service Training
-
Elections 20232 weeks ago
Virgin Islands Releases 2024 Preliminary Voters List for Public Review
-
Local News2 weeks ago
British Virgin Islands Premier Leads Delegation to London for Key Talks on Governance, Finance, and Climate Change
-
Local News1 week ago
Major Road Rehabilitation Projects Underway
-
Education3 days ago
HLSCC Expands Global Educational Pathway with CMI Level 3 Diploma