Local News
Virgin Islands Cabinet Approves Fee Increase for Nationality Services
The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has given the green light to an increase in fees for several nationality services, effective June 1.
The decision, made on November 14, 2023, aims to ensure that the Civil Registry and Passport Office can maintain U.K. standards and in some cases, reflect a direct conversion from Sterling to U.S. Dollars. This adjustment is part of ongoing efforts to upgrade and streamline the Naturalisation processes in the Virgin Islands.
Registrar General, Mrs. Tashi O’Flaherty-Maduro, emphasised the importance of modernising systems to enhance efficiency, stating, “We continue to strive to modernise our systems, and work towards processing applicants as efficiently as possible. This fee update will allow the Civil Registry and Passport Office to build upon the progress made thus far, and forge ahead with delivering a service to our clients that is on par with regional and international standards.”
The revised fees are as follows:
- Application for naturalisation as a British Overseas Territories Citizen (Adult): $650.00
- Application Fee: $100.00
- Application for registration as a British Overseas Territories Citizen (Child 17 and under): $275.00
- Application Fee: $75.00
- Application for registration as a British Overseas Territories Citizen where an adult is eligible to apply under registration: $400.00
- Application Fee: $100.00
- Status Letters: $100.00
The Civil Registry and Passport Office remains committed to providing a high level of service to its clients while effectively managing civil records, nationality matters, and passports for residents in the Territory of the Virgin Islands.
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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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