Local News
Government Engages Public in Talks Over Terrance B. Lettsome Airport Expansion
The Government of the Virgin Islands is pressing ahead with public consultations on the proposed expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, an initiative aimed at enhancing air connectivity and bolstering the Territory’s economy.
Last week, the Ministry of Communications and Works, in collaboration with the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA), held a series of meetings across the Territory to update residents on the progress of the airport expansion business case and gather their views.
Honourable Kye M. Rymer, Minister for Communications and Works, attributed the project’s slow progress to the lack of a comprehensive business case, a key requirement highlighted by UK officials during discussions on the expansion.
“Following the decision to expand the runway, UK officials requested that a business case be prepared, leading to the present circumstances, as the Green Book Business Case had never been completed,” Honourable Rymer explained.
Efforts are underway to finalise the business case by February 2025, although the Minister cautioned that it is too early to establish a fixed timeline. “We cannot provide a specific timeline at this moment as we are still navigating the business case process,” he said, noting similarities to delays experienced in 2016 when a contractor was selected prematurely.
Clive Smith, Director of Special Projects at the BVIAA, outlined the structure of the business case, which comprises five critical components:
- The Strategic Case
- The Economic Case
- The Commercial Case
- The Financial Case
- The Management Case
The team is currently focusing on the Economic Case, which aims to identify the best option for expansion.
Jeffery Seider, Vice President of WSP Global, stressed that the expansion seeks to improve air access while addressing the airport’s existing capacity constraints. He noted that public feedback is vital at this stage of planning.
“The outline business case, passenger forecasting and master plan processes are ongoing,” said Mr Seider. “This public consultation ensures that your feedback shapes the future of this project.”
Kurt Menal, Managing Director of the BVIAA, reaffirmed the airport’s role as a vital commercial hub and economic driver for the Virgin Islands.
The consultation panel also included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mrs Elvia Smith-Maduro, and Jack Mackenzie, Senior Managing Advisor at KPMG Islands Group.
Attendees at each meeting were invited to complete surveys, ranking options based on the presentations and providing their feedback for consideration in the next phase of the project.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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