Local News
Public Service Act Hands Ministers Greater Oversight of Senior Officials
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Natalio D. Wheatley has said new provisions in the Public Service Management Act, 2024 give ministers greater responsibility for setting objectives and assessing the performance of permanent secretaries, marking a shift in accountability within the public sector.
Speaking on September 10 at the government’s mid-year review, attended by around 90 senior officials, Wheatley explained that the Act clarifies the relationship between ministers, permanent secretaries and department heads.
The law requires permanent secretaries and department heads to carry out their duties under the direction of ministers, consistent with the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007. It also establishes that ministers are to set performance goals and contribute directly to the appraisals of permanent secretaries, who in turn will oversee the performance reviews of department heads.
“This significant clarification means that ministers have a strong management responsibility to set performance goals and provide direct input into the performance appraisals of permanent secretaries,” Wheatley said. “This means that there must be a strong and collaborative relationship between ministers and permanent secretaries.”
The premier added that the mid-year review was convened to ensure implementation of the Act and to maintain alignment with the National Sustainable Development Plan, launched in 2023 as the framework for long-term development across six areas: health, education, economy, infrastructure, governance and the environment.
The review, which follows a similar meeting held in February, also provided an opportunity for ministries and departments to report on progress to date and to prepare for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.
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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