Local News
Premier Cites Critical Times, Calls for Collaboration in Public Service
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley told senior public officers on Sept. 10 that the Virgin Islands is at a pivotal point in its development and urged greater collaboration within the public service to meet current challenges.
Speaking at the government’s mid-year review, attended by about 90 top officials including ministers, permanent secretaries and department heads, Wheatley said the territory is navigating “turbulent and challenging times” that require unity across government.
“We are here to strengthen the foundation of the Public Service as we support the territory to navigate the turbulent and challenging times in which we live,” Wheatley said. “These are critical times and a pivotal point in the development of the Virgin Islands. Each of you has a critical role to play, and it is important for everyone to be aligned.”
The review followed the passage of the Public Service Management Act, 2024, which provides the framework for the management of the public service. Under the law, permanent secretaries and department heads are required to perform their duties under the control and direction of ministers, consistent with the Constitution Order of 2007. The legislation also assigns ministers responsibility for setting performance goals and providing input into appraisals of permanent secretaries, who in turn carry out the same function with department heads.
“This means that there must be a strong and collaborative relationship between ministers and permanent secretaries,” Wheatley said.
The premier added that the mid-year review was intended to track progress since February and set the course for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, with the National Sustainable Development Plan serving as the roadmap. Adopted in 2022 and launched in 2023, the plan outlines six goals in health, education, economy, infrastructure, good governance and the environment.
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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