Local News
From Student to Premier: Roman Nibbs Alberto Completes Week Inside Government
Roman Nibbs Alberto, a 17-year-old 12th grade student of Elmore Stoutt High School, spent the past week operating at the centre of government as part of the British Virgin Islands’ “Premier for a Week” initiative, attending official meetings, engaging senior public officers and participating in national events before concluding his tenure on April 10, 2026.
Over the course of the programme, Nibbs Alberto assumed the role of Premier alongside youth Cabinet Ministers Niaeika Aymer, Trishelle Phillips, Rudell Stoute and Zhane Waters, following a swearing-in ceremony officiated by His Excellency Governor Daniel Pruce. The initiative, organised by the Office of the Premier, is designed to provide young people with direct exposure to governance, leadership and public service.
His schedule mirrored that of a serving government official, with structured daily engagements that included high-level meetings, document reviews and interactions with local and regional stakeholders. Nibbs Alberto also met with Premier Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley and participated in discussions aligned with national development priorities.
On the final day of his tenure, Nibbs Alberto attended meetings at the Cutlass Tower, including engagements with an events team, representatives of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and United States Virgin Islands FairSali representatives. He later joined Premier Wheatley for a meeting before attending the Agriculture and Fisheries Exhibition and Market Opening Ceremony at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
The day concluded with the recording of a closing message and attendance at the VISAR Gourmet Gathering at Government House, marking the end of his week in office.
Throughout the programme, Nibbs Alberto was supported by senior public officers, including Cabinet Secretary Sandra Ward, Deputy Financial Secretaries Jeremy Vanterpool and Dr. Drexel Glasgow, Permanent Secretaries Carolyn Stoutt Igwe, Joseph Smith-Abbott and Natalie Fahie-Smith, and Deputy Permanent Secretaries Dr. Lavon Chalwell-Brewley and Natasha Julius. Additional support was provided by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, including Inspector Terry Humphrey and Officer Gamliel Swift.
The initiative was overseen by a steering committee chaired by Chief Protocol Officer Kareem-Nelson Hull, with Assistant Secretary K’Mari Fahie serving as co-chair, alongside Director of International Affairs Dwynel Davis and Assistant Secretary Cherryl Fahie.
The “Premier for a Week” programme forms part of broader efforts by the Government of the Virgin Islands to engage young people in civic life and provide practical insight into the structure and function of government.
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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