The Royal Virgin Islands Police Forc e (RVIPF) have charged Akiba Forde, Kwayne Francis, and a 17-year-old male in connection with separate cases of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm.

On February 7 at approximately 21:29 hours, the RVIPF arrested and charged Akiba Forde, 42, of Paraquita Bay for Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. He was granted bail in the amount of $5,000 and is scheduled to appear at the Magistrate’s Court on 20 March 2025.

The following day, February 8,  at approximately 08:59 hours, police arrested and charged Kwayne Francis, 26, of Cane Garden Bay for Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. He was also granted bail in the amount of $5,000 and is set to appear in court on 20 March 2025.

A 17-year-old male was arrested and charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm on February 15, at approximately 14:50 hours,. He was granted bail in the amount of $5,000 and is scheduled to appear at the Magistrate’s Court March 27, 2025.

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The governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands does not possess the legal authority to impose tariffs on goods or services imported from the British Virgin Islands or any other foreign jurisdiction, according to a legal opinion issued by the Legislature’s assistant legal counsel, Sharline Rogers. The U.S. Constitution grants the power to impose tariffs exclusively to Congress, which has delegated that authority to the U.S. president through legislation, including the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1934.

The legal opinion, delivered through the chief legal counsel of the Legislature, Amos Carty Jr., was issued in response to inquiries from Senate Vice President Kenneth Gittens. It further stated that the governor cannot independently impose fees on goods and services entering the Virgin Islands from the British Virgin Islands or other foreign countries. While the Revised Organic Act grants the Legislature authority to impose customs duties on imported goods for consumption, no such authority extends to the governor.

The opinion comes as the officers of the 36th Legislature prepare to convene an emergency meeting with Governor Albert Bryan Jr. today, Wednesday, February 26. The meeting was requested by the governor in a February 19 letter to Senate President Milton Potter, in which he urged immediate legislative action to address what he described as an “increasing imbalance in cross-border trade and travel.” Bryan proposed a tariff of at least 25% on goods imported from the British Virgin Islands and the introduction of entry and exit fees for non-Virgin Islanders traveling between the two territories.

Senate President Potter announced the emergency meeting on February 21, stating that the Office of the Governor would present briefings on trade imbalances, economic impacts, revenue projections, enforcement mechanisms, and potential effects on tourism and local businesses.

“We recognize the urgency of addressing economic challenges facing our territory,” Potter said in a statement. “The Legislature looks forward to engaging in productive discussion with the Governor’s Office while ensuring any proposed measures protect our local economy and maintain positive relations with our brothers and sisters in the BVI.”

Meanwhile, concerns have been growing within the local marine industry regarding proposed regulatory changes in the British Virgin Islands. At a town hall meeting on February 18, organised by the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association, industry stakeholders expressed alarm over steep increases in chartering permit fees for foreign-based vessels and new restrictions on home-based vessel definitions. One attendee suggested a retaliatory response to the BVI’s protectionist measures.

Despite these concerns, the legal opinion confirms that the governor lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs or fees on cross-border trade. Any action on the matter would require intervention at the federal level or legislative measures within the Virgin Islands’ constitutional framework.

Source: WTJX Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System

– Roadworks Resumes After Landowner, Government Reach Agreement

The roadworks project in Hodges Creek has hit a roadblock—not because of financial demands, but because of a lack of respect, according to landowner Clyde Chalwell.

Chalwell, the owner of the land where the government is carrying out major roadworks, says he was never consulted before the project began, and that is the real issue at hand.

“No one has come to me, my family members, or anyone to have a conversation about the infringement on our property,” Chalwell said. “We’ve been waiting and waiting for someone to come talk to us, and up to now, that has not happened.”

According to Chalwell, his recent move to erect boundary poles was not meant to halt the project, but simply to mark what is rightfully his.

“I haven’t stopped the road, I haven’t stopped the work. All I am doing is marking my boundaries, like any other property owner would do,” he explained. “You can’t just jump on someone’s property and do as you like without consultation.”

The disputed section of land has been in use as part of the roadway for years, but with the new rehabilitation project, Chalwell believes the government should have done the right thing and engaged him in discussion first.

“If this is a new construction, and they have a plan, then let’s have a conversation about it,” he said. “Why do I have to reach out to them? If I needed access to government land, I would have to go to them. They are the ones accessing my land, not the other way around.”

Public opinion has swirled with speculation that Chalwell is seeking money from the government in exchange for the land. He firmly rejects this claim.

“Money never crossed my mind, and it’s still not on my mind. The land is not for sale,” he stated. “It’s about doing the correct thing. This isn’t North Korea. We don’t live in a dictatorship. I have rights, just like everyone else.”

Chalwell emphasised that a simple discussion could resolve the matter immediately.

“All I want is a conversation. Let me know what you’re doing. Get my blessing to continue,” he said. “I’m not against any project. The government just has to be responsible and act as a government.”

A meeting between Chalwell and Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Kye Rymer, took place today. Following the discussion, Chalwell agreed to remove the boundary poles, allowing the project to proceed.

“I never wanted to stop anything; I just wanted them to do the right thing and speak to me first,” Chalwell said after the meeting. “Now that we’ve had that conversation, we can move forward.”

Chalwell also criticised what he sees as a pattern of government actions that disregard the rights of local landowners.

“If I needed to use a government facility, I would have to ask. But when it comes to a BVIslander’s land, they do what they want,” he said. “You can’t put a telephone pole in front of someone’s house without permission, but they think they can just take our land without asking? That won’t happen.”

Following this interview with Jahphixtelevision (JTV) , Chalwell met with Premier Hon. Natalio Wheatley and Minister of Communications and Works, Hon. Kye Rymer. After the meeting, he informed JTV that he agreed to remove the boundary poles, allowing the project to move forward.

As the roadworks resume, Chalwell insists that his stance was never about obstructing development but ensuring that due process and respect are upheld.

“The government must be held accountable,” he said. “You don’t just take people’s property without asking. That’s not how it works.”