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Anegada Being Treated as “Distant Cousins” of the BVI, Urges Government Action – Lorna Smith
Territorial-At-Large Representative Lorna Smith, OBE, has issued a strong call for the government to address the long-standing neglect of Anegada, particularly regarding delays in land allocation, unpaid workers, and lack of economic support. Speaking at an opposition press conference on January 17, Smith criticised what she described as unfair treatment of Anegadians, urging immediate action to resolve these critical issues.
“While on Anegada, one of the things that concerns me deeply—and I believe it concerns all of us in the opposition—is that the land titles that were agreed to be given to Anegadians over a year ago are still not in their hands,” Smith stated. “What is even more annoying and concerning to Anegadians is that persons who are not from Anegada are able to carry on their developments ahead of Anegadians. I call on the government to fix these kinds of issues.”
Smith underscored the frustration among Anegadians over the delay, pointing out that their aspirations for land ownership have been stifled, despite assurances from the government. She criticised the disparity, noting that non-residents appear to face fewer hurdles in pursuing developments.
Adding to her concerns, Smith highlighted the plight of workers who played a pivotal role in advancing the work of the Anegada Lands Commission. “Last year, we approved supplementary provisions for the persons who had worked so hard on the Anegada Lands Commission, doing all the groundwork to bring between 60 to 90 land grants to approval. These people still have not been paid the monies owed to them,” she said.
Smith described Anegada’s treatment as unacceptable and akin to being “a distant cousin of the British Virgin Islands.” She called for the government to prioritise the island’s development. “I call on the government to bring Anegada to the centre, as I always say, and to give them the kind of attention that they need.”
Smith also touched on the exclusion of Anegadians from micro and small business grants. “There are a number of Anegadians who made applications for assistance under the micro and small business grants, and they were also left out of the fold,” she said.
She urged the government to rectify the situation, expressing hope for a resolution. “Having spoken to them, having spoken to the ministry and the Department of Trade, I hope they will receive the grants that they are eligible for this year.”
In her remarks, Smith expanded her criticism to include issues faced by other sister islands, such as Jost Van Dyke. She expressed solidarity with representatives advocating for fair treatment and equitable development across all islands.
“Anegadians deserve better. It is time for the government to step up and honour their commitments,” Smith concluded.
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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