Local News
Minister Rymer Activates Emergency Response Team Amid Weather Alert
Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Kye M. Rymer, has mobilised the Emergency Response Team of the Public Works Department to conduct thorough inspections of ghuts and waterways across the region in response to an imminent weather threat looming over the territory.
With a weather alert from the Department of Disaster Management signaling the approach of a frontal trough, Honourable Rymer noted, ‘Our diligent response in the aftermath of thunderstorm Phillipe still shows our waterways in satisfactory condition. We are urging residents to take steps to protect themselves and their property.'”
The primary objective is to preemptively address potential risks such as flash flooding and hazardous marine conditions that may arise as the weather system advances.
In light of the forecasted weather conditions, which are expected to deteriorate as the frontal trough nears, residents are advised to remain vigilant.
Showers and isolated thunderstorms are anticipated later in the day, with rainfall projections ranging between 2 to 4 inches. These conditions pose significant risks, including flash flooding in urban areas and hazardous marine conditions affecting small crafts.
Director of the Public Works Department, Mr. Jeremy Hodge, underscored the importance of preparedness and encouraged residents to promptly report any hazards or concerns.
The Emergency Response Team has been strategically deployed, with members assigned to monitor and evaluate the performance of waterways in each district. Their assessments will enable timely interventions in the event of excessive rainfall or emerging threats to public safety.
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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.
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