Local News
His Majesty’s Customs Celebrates K9 Unit’s Success in Boosting Border Security
His Majesty’s Customs recognised the achievements of its K9 Unit and their handlers during a graduation ceremony earlier this week, celebrating both newly trained and veteran team members in their efforts to enhance border security.
The ceremony honoured handlers Olympia Maduro-Fahie, B’Jorn Caleb, and Shavique Barzey for their dedication and success. The K9s acknowledged included Gunner, who has been recertified, and two newly trained dogs, Ace and Duece.
Acting Commissioner Greg Romney highlighted the event, held on 11 September, as a significant milestone in the department’s ongoing effort to strengthen and rejuvenate its K9 Unit. “The Department of Customs is pleased to announce the rebirth of our K9 Unit,” Romney said. “This unit plays a crucial role in our fight against the importation of illicit goods. We are committed to disrupting any channels that threaten our border security.”
Romney emphasised that the addition of Ace and Duece, alongside the recertified Gunner, significantly enhances the unit’s operational capabilities. “With these advancements, all K9s are now impeccably trained and fully prepared to bolster the effectiveness of Customs operations,” he added.
Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett also praised the unit’s expansion, noting that the newly trained dogs would enhance the department’s ability to protect the territory’s borders. “These highly trained K9 officers are specifically bred to detect contraband, narcotics, explosives, and assist in human apprehension,” Frett stated. “Their keen sense of smell allows them to detect substances that are nearly impossible for humans to identify.”
Frett expressed gratitude to “Pure Dogz” for their role in training both the dogs and their handlers, ensuring that the K9 Unit is prepared to serve and protect. The rigorous three-week training programme, led by Instructor Keron Pole of Pure Dogs K9 Services, covered both theoretical and practical elements, with a focus on narcotics detection and bite apprehension.
His Majesty’s Customs reaffirmed its commitment to securing national borders and supporting lawful trade by enforcing import regulations and preventing the entry of illicit goods.
The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) has officially opened applications for the prestigious Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership.
This globally recognised certification, equivalent to an associate degree or A Level, presents a prime opportunity for individuals aiming to refine their management skills or pursue higher education abroad in the UK or the US.
The CMI Level 3 Diploma offers a distinctive advantage to learners looking to study in the UK, as it eliminates the need for a foundation year—saving both time and additional expenses. It also provides advanced standing for those seeking to enroll in US-based institutions. Tailored for supervisors or team leaders, the course is accessible even to individuals new to management roles.
Marva Wheatley, Dean of the Workforce Training Division at HLSCC, underscored the program’s practical focus. “This training is built around real-world application. Participants reflect on their work experiences, receive personalised support from an advisor, and gain skills that make a tangible impact,” she said.
Open to anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent, the program is especially attractive for mature professionals. The flexible, one-year course structure allows students from the Caribbean region and beyond to participate through virtual learning, with in-person presentations scheduled every six weeks.
HLSCC has been an accredited CMI provider since 2005, offering diplomas at Levels 3, 5, and 7 in Management and Leadership. With an impressive 84% pass rate for initial assignments in the 2024 annual audit, the program continues to demonstrate excellence.
Applications will remain open until October 4, and classes will commence on October 31. Interested individuals can attend a virtual information session hosted by Dean Wheatley on September 18 at 5:30 p.m. (Zoom Meeting ID: 892 1843 8568, Passcode: 900264) for further details.
For additional information, contact Dean Marva Wheatley at (284) 852-7033 or via email at mdawson@hlscc.edu.vg. You may also reach out to Jaheim Maduro at (284) 852-7176 or jmaduro@hlscc.edu.vg.
The government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has issued a tender for proposals to revolutionise its digital economy. This ambitious project will involve the development of digital identities, ID systems, payment platforms and data exchange frameworks. The winning bid will be responsible for evaluating the current state of government agencies and the territory’s digital public infrastructure.
According to the tender released on September 12, the chosen consultant will report directly to the Permanent Secretary and collaborate closely with the Digital Transformation Steering Committee. The consultancy will be structured into three key phases:
Phase One: Digital Maturity Assessment
This phase will involve assessing the current digital maturity of government entities by identifying gaps and benchmarking against best practices. The assessment will cover IT infrastructure, policies, platform development and maintenance, service delivery channels, data management practices, and the digital literacy of government employees.
Phase Two: Strategy Development and Implementation Roadmap
In this phase, the consultant will develop a comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy and an implementation roadmap. This will include outlining initiatives, timelines, resource allocation, prioritisation, risk management, and a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.
Phase Three: Enabling Environment
The final phase will focus on reviewing the existing legal, regulatory, and policy framework. The consultant will propose reforms to align with international standards and best practices in data protection, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
The tender explained that this phase will also aim to promote innovation and growth in the digital economy while safeguarding public interest and consumer rights. Additionally, it will ensure that digital transformation efforts are inclusive and suited to the specific context of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The consultant will also conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity framework.
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been elected by acclimation as a Vice Chair of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC), a subsidiary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). This decision was confirmed at the 30th Session of the CDCC held on September 11, 2024.
The election results designate Trinidad and Tobago as Chair, Saint Lucia and Jamaica as Vice Chairs, and Saint Kitts and Nevis as Rapporteur. Senior ECLAC officials, including Executive Secretary Mr. Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs and Director of the ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, Mrs. Diane Quarless, were present at the session.
In its new role, the BVI will assist the Chair, represented by the Honourable Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development of Trinidad and Tobago. The BVI will support the CDCC’s programme of work for 2024-26, focusing on advancing the Caribbean’s sustainable development and climate resilience under the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Additionally, the BVI will lead a new Working Group established by CDCC resolution to enhance UN system collaboration on providing assistance to ECLAC Associate Members, aiding their sustainability, resilience, and development.
During the CDCC session, Special Envoy Mr. Benito Wheatley, in his capacity as BVI Representative to the UN in Latin America and the Caribbean, assumed the role of Vice Chair. He also participated in the 8th Meeting of the Caribbean Development Roundtable (CDR) from September 9-10, ahead of the CDCC session.
Mr. Wheatley expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “We are humbled by the trust and confidence placed in the British Virgin Islands by ECLAC, the UN system, and the CDCC membership. It is an honour to represent the BVI on this crucial committee that supports the sustainable development and economic transformation of the Caribbean. We look forward to working collaboratively with the CDCC Bureau, committee members, and development partners to advance the subregion.”
The BVI has been an Associate Member of ECLAC since 1984 and joined the CDCC in 1985. The CDCC, established in 1975, aims to facilitate the cooperation and development of the Caribbean subregion.
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