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Premier Calls for Religious Leaders to Unite in Prayer for the Virgin Islands
Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, also serving as the Minister with responsibility for Ecclesiastical Affairs, has issued a poignant plea to the religious leaders of the Virgin Islands, urging them to lead their congregations in a collective week of prayer from January 19th to January 25th, 2024. The call for unity comes in response to the myriad challenges the Territory has faced early in the new year.
Commencing the year with a devastating fire that claimed the life of a cherished citizen, the community finds itself in a season of grief. Subsequently, the Governor’s Fifth Quarterly Review proposed seeking additional powers for governance reform, casting uncertainty over the Territory’s future. Premature deaths, including that of a former House of Assembly member, coupled with peculiar incidents and accidents, have left the community grappling with sorrow and ambiguity.
The Virgin Islands is also grappling with negative publicity as the trial of former Premier Mr. Andrew Fahie approaches. Acknowledging the imperative for divine intervention, Premier Wheatley invites the community to turn to prayer as a source of solace and strength in these trying times.
Drawing inspiration from scripture, Premier Wheatley invokes 2 Chronicles 7:14, stating, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” With this biblical guidance, Premier Wheatley calls upon churches to spearhead a collective spiritual effort to seek solace and restoration.
To facilitate coordination, Premier Wheatley has scheduled a Zoom Meeting on Friday, January 19th, 2024, at 1 p.m. During this virtual assembly, details of the seven-day prayer initiative will be shared. The meeting will also provide a platform for congregational leaders to deliberate and plan for a special prayer service on Thursday, January 25th, 2024.
Premier Wheatley expresses his anticipation for the meeting, encouraging all religious leaders to actively participate. He emphasizes the power of unity and collective prayer as a means to find strength, hope, and healing for the Virgin Islands. The Zoom link for the meeting will be disseminated by the BVI Christian Council’s Media Officer. As the community unites in prayer, there is a shared optimism that this spiritual initiative will serve as a guiding light through these challenging times.
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Ministry of Education Addresses Allegations of Student-Teacher Incident at Elmore Stoutt High School
The Ministry of Education and Sports has issued a statement regarding serious allegations involving a male teacher and student at Elmore Stoutt High School. The incident, reportedly occurring last week on school grounds, involved a male student physically attacking the teacher’s vehicle.
The Ministry is working with authorities, including the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Social Development Department, and Teaching Service Commission, to ensure a thorough investigation.
Immediate steps are being taken to ensure the safety of the school community while maintaining a supportive learning environment. The Ministry is dedicated to handling this matter with fairness, ensuring justice and safety for all involved, and asks for patience as legal and ethical protocols are followed.
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Ron Potter Refuses to Resign Despite Request from Health Minister
Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), Ron Potter, has refused to resign from his position, despite being directly asked to do so by the Minister of Health and Social Development.
The request, made via WhatsApp, came in the wake of several tragic incidents affecting the healthcare sector in the British Virgin Islands.
Potter made his position clear in a formal statement, rejecting the call to step down. He emphasised that his removal would require legal grounds under the BVI Health Services Authority Act of 2004, which governs the appointment and dismissal of board members. According to Potter, no such grounds exist. “It is not my intention to resign as Chairman, as there are no grounds or reasons for me to do so,” Potter declared, adding that the Act requires due process to be followed.
He further pointed out that the BVIHSA operates independently of central government, and that decisions regarding his removal must be legally justified. The Chairman also addressed media reports suggesting a strained relationship between himself and the Health Minister, noting that he was unaware of any tensions before reading the reports. “If this reporting is true, I was certainly unaware of a strained relationship prior to the articles,” Potter said, distancing himself from claims of discord within the healthcare administration. He also dismissed allegations that he was single-handedly blocking the development of a proposed medical school, calling them “unfounded and without merit.”
Potter’s statement highlighted his dedication to the healthcare system in the Territory. He acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly the lack of a fully staffed BVIHSA board, which has prevented the board from holding critical meetings since July 2024. Despite these setbacks, Potter remains committed to his role, championing several key initiatives, including the completion of the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Center, improvements to hospital and clinic infrastructure, and the establishment of medical and nursing schools.
Potter reaffirmed his commitment to the people of the British Virgin Islands, stressing the importance of a well-functioning healthcare system. “I believe access to a good healthcare system is a fundamental right of the people of this Territory,” he said, urging the community to continue supporting the BVIHSA’s efforts to enhance healthcare services.
It is unclear whether the Minister of Health will pursue further action or attempt to resolve the situation with the Chairman.
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Willock Unveils New Back-to-School Initiative: ‘3 Hours, 3 Schools, District 3’
Former Speaker of the House of Assembly and District 3 resident Julian Willock, along with his Third District Committee, has launched a new twist on their annual Back-to-School event, titled “3 Hours, 3 Schools, District 3.”
This year, the event will focus on three schools in the Sea Cows Bay area: Seventh-day Adventist School, St. George’s Anglican School, and Ebenezer Thomas Primary School. Over 100 bags filled with books and other essential supplies will be donated directly to these schools, with principals and teachers determining which students need them most over the 2024-2025 school year.
Explaining the new approach, Willock said, “We noticed that many existing back-to-school events had restrictions, like requiring students to come from a particular district or pre-register. Our approach is simpler: we want to help students who genuinely need it, and who better to identify those students than the teachers and principals who interact with them daily?”
The only requirement for receiving supplies is that the students must be enrolled in one of the three selected schools. Donations are set to be made next week, all within a single day, in what Willock has dubbed the “3 Hours, 3 Schools in District 3” initiative.
Willock also highlighted plans for a separate, special initiative for the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre, which is temporarily housed in the Sea Cows Bay area.
He expressed gratitude to the sponsors who helped make this year’s event possible, including Nanny Cay Resort, BDO Limited, Northam Construction, IAM Jet Centre, his Third District Committee, and Kishma P. Forbes of Virgin Islands School and Office Supplies.
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