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.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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