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UK MP David Rutley Warns Of Further British Government Action Over Delayed Reforms

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Minister for the Americas, the Caribbean and United Kingdom Overseas Territories David Rutley in a stern message on Sunday cautioned the government that a lack of expeditious implementation of its recommendations could prompt the British Government to take further measures to ensure the vital reforms are swiftly carried out.

“The Commission of Inquiry has identified serious governance and reputational issues, but progress on implementing its recommendations has been too slow, with agreed deadlines missed.  That is why I am here: to listen and understand from those working directly on the reforms how they can be delivered quicker so that the people of BVI get the good governance they deserve,” Rutley said in a February 5 statement issued by the Governor’s Office shortly after his arrival in the territory.

He added that “the UK will provide further technical assistance if required,” and warned that “if there continues to be a lack of progress, we will not hesitate to take further action to help deliver the much-needed reforms.”

The Member of Parliament will hold meetings with Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley and other ministers to receive an update on progress of governance reforms stemming from an independent inquiry into governance in the territory.

Rutley stressed that “the Overseas Territories are a core part of the UK family and the UK Government is committed to the security. prosperity and well-being of the people of the British Virgin Islands. We want to see a successful, thriving, well-governed BVI, and will continue to do our utmost to support the Governor and the people of the BVI to achieve that goal.”

In his final quarterly report released on January 5, outgoing Governor John Rankin expressed reservations about the “capability and determination” of the BVI government to effectively drive and complete crucial reforms.

Rankin highlighted that despite having a considerable time frame of twenty-one months, the government only managed to address 25 out of 48 identified reforms, with just five months remaining before the deadline expires.

The report underscored that failing to meet the deadline would result in the retention of the Order in the Council, a potential two-year constitutional suspension.

It was former Governor Augustus Jaspert who initiated a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in January 2021 to investigate potential corruption, abuse of office, or significant dishonesty within the public sector.

The Inquiry Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom submitted a comprehensive 900-page report to Rankin on April 4, 2022, outlining findings of corruption across various government levels.

The report included 45 specific recommendations, with four overarching suggestions, including the partial suspension of the constitution to overhaul the BVI’s governmental and governance structures.

Amidst the looming threat of government suspension and the aftermath of Premier Andrew Fahie’s arrest in April 2022 in the United States on drug and money laundering allegations, an interim government led by recently appointed Premier Natalio Wheatley emerged.

Wheatley, who had previously served as Deputy Premier during the review, spearheaded efforts to avert a constitutional suspension. With partial implementation of the recommendations, the 2023 elections saw all political parties committing to uphold the COI recommendations upon assuming office. Premier Wheatley secured re-election in April 2023.

Newly appointed Governor Daniel Pruce stressed that the “Minister’s visit comes at a crucial time for the BVI, and signals the UK’s interest and commitment to ensuring that the BVI succeeds.”

“Delivering the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry will help us achieve the positive changes we all want to see, including better access to services, a fairer society with opportunities for all and a more accountable and transparent government.”

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RVIPF Cracks Down on Illegal Motorbikes with Crushing Initiative

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The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has taken a step to curb the ongoing problem of illegal and unregulated motorbikes by launching a new enforcement campaign to crush unclaimed, unlawfully operated bikes and scooters.

The initiative, which began on April 28, 2025, targets vehicles that have been seized but remain unclaimed and are no longer required as evidence in active investigations. In the past, unclaimed bikes were auctioned to the public, but this practice often resulted in the same bikes reappearing on the roads, violating traffic and safety regulations and creating a resource strain on the police.

Commissioner of Police (Ag.) Jacqueline E. Vanterpool emphasized the importance of the initiative in maintaining road safety and upholding the rule of law.

“This move underscores our commitment to road safety and accountability,” Vanterpool said. “We can no longer allow our compound to become a revolving door for illegal bikes. By taking this action, we are sending a strong message to those who choose not to follow the law.”

The operation commenced with the removal and destruction of dozens of motorbikes from the Road Town Police Station, supported by the Department of Waste Management. Only those vehicles not connected to active court matters or ongoing investigations were selected for crushing.

The RVIPF is urging all motorbike owners to ensure their vehicles are properly licensed, insured, and roadworthy in accordance with Virgin Islands law, as the crushing initiative is expected to continue as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and resource management.

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Men Released Without Charge in Firearm Case as Investigation Continues

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The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has confirmed that two men arrested in connection with a firearm and ammunition recovery on Thursday, April 24, have been released from custody without charge.

According to an RVIPF statement, the men were discharged due to insufficient evidence at this stage to clearly establish a link between them and the recovered items.

The initial incident occurred during the early morning hours of April 24, when officers responded to a report of two masked men seen near a popular local bank. Upon arrival, officers recovered a firearm and several rounds of ammunition, leading to the arrest of the two masked individuals.

Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool praised the officers involved for their swift response.

The investigation remains active as detectives work to uncover further details.

The RVIPF remains committed to thoroughly pursuing all leads and will provide additional updates as new information becomes available.

The police are urging anyone with information related to this incident to contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 or from overseas at (284) 800-8477.

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BVIEC Wraps Up First-Ever Student Mentorship Program with Elmore Stoutt High School

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Six students from Elmore Stoutt High School recently got a rare, hands-on look at the inner workings of the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) through the company’s first-ever Job Training Mentorship Programme — and both the students and their mentors are calling it a major success.

The two-week initiative, which ran from March 31 to April 11, gave Grade 11 students a chance to work closely with experienced BVIEC staff across several departments, from engineering and planning to finance and customer service.

“This was more than just job shadowing,” said Tamara George-Barry, the manager of People, Culture and Talent Services at BVIEC and the driving force behind the programme. “We wanted to provide real mentorship and give these young people meaningful exposure to the energy industry.”

The first group of student participants included Michael-Anson Findlay, Kerdella Carter, Caheem Henry, Kh’Mouri Anthony, Ranaldo Francis, and Amari Johnson. Each student was paired with a mentor in one of BVIEC’s core departments.

Three of the students — Findlay, Henry, and Johnson — worked in the Transmission and Distribution Department, where they learned about power lines, metering, cable jointing, and system planning. Anthony and Francis were based in the Generation Department, where they got up close with the mechanical and electrical side of power production. Carter, the group’s only finance trainee, explored customer service, billing, and accounts payable in the Finance Department.

At the end of the programme, the students gave presentations on what they’d learned to an audience that included their mentors, senior management, and other BVIEC staff. It was a proud moment for everyone involved.

Several students were also recognized for their standout contributions. Anthony and Francis took home the “Photo Challenge” award for their creative documentation of their time in the Generation Department. Findlay was named “Best Presenter,” and Henry received the “Most Improved” award for completing and submitting his project early, even though he was unable to attend the final presentations due to illness.

All six students received certificates of completion.

George-Barry said the idea for the programme came after conversations with guidance counselors and families at ESHS. “We wanted to make sure that when students come to BVIEC for job training, they’re not just sitting at a desk. They’re learning, asking questions, and getting inspired,” she said.

Before starting, the students went through a full orientation that covered BVIEC’s mission, values, safety protocols, and what to expect during their placements.

“This first group set the bar high,” George-Barry added. “We’re incredibly proud of them, and we can’t wait to grow the programme in the future.”

BVIEC’s new mentorship initiative is part of a wider effort to invest in the BVI’s future workforce and inspire young minds to consider careers in energy, engineering, and public service.

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