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BVIEC Earns Five Awards at Regional Lineworkers Rodeo Hosted in British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) took home five awards during the 2025 CARILEC Lineworkers Rodeo, which was hosted for the first time in the Virgin Islands on April 27.
The event, held at the Festival Grounds in Road Town, brought together 14 utility teams from across the Caribbean and eight private exhibitors. The competition tested lineworkers in a range of technical events under the oversight of CARILEC’s technical judges and U.S.-based equipment specialists.
In the Apprentice Division, Jio Vonni Croal of BVIEC earned third place overall, scoring 467 points in a competitive field. Lionel Smith placed first in the “Mystery Event – Disconnect and Reconnect Transformer,” achieving a perfect score of 100.
In the Experienced Division, veteran lineworker Edward Pollock secured third place in the “Pole Speed Climb,” completing the event in 45.38 seconds.
Team BVIEC also placed second in the “Mystery Event – HT Fuse Crossarm.” Despite posting the fastest time, they finished with 96 points following minor infractions. The team earned an additional third-place finish in the “Three-Phase Earth Installation” event, clocking the fastest time of 4 minutes and 54.91 seconds, also with 96 points.
“We are immensely proud of our lineworkers who not only competed at the highest level but did so on home soil with the full support of our community,” said Dr. Neil Smith, General Manager of BVIEC. “Their performance demonstrated the world-class talent within BVIEC and the Virgin Islands.”
Leading up to the competition, participants took part in technical workshops at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and engaged in field safety drills. The event marked a milestone for both CARILEC and the Territory, with record participation and extensive regional engagement.
The successful hosting of the rodeo was made possible through the leadership of the BVIEC Board of Directors, chaired by Sheldon Scatliffe, and the efforts of the planning committee, staff volunteers, and event partners.
In a statement to the media, BVIEC expressed appreciation for CARILEC’s technical team, the visiting utility teams, and local residents who supported the event. “BVIEC also extends its heartfelt appreciation to CARILEC’s technical team, all participating utilities, and many residents who braved early morning showers to cheer on their teams—especially their hometown heroes, Team BVIEC.”
The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) dominated the competition overall, earning gold in both the Apprentice and Experienced divisions. BVIEC congratulated Team Antigua for their achievements and extended best wishes for their continued success.
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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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