The restructuring affects multiple ministries, beginning with the Premier’s Office, which will now oversee Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Veterinary services, previously managed under Environment. Additionally, Constitutional Advancement has been added as a formal subject of the Premier’s Office, strengthening its focus on constitutional issues.

Further changes see the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development gain oversight of Statistics, a function moved from Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, as well as District Councils, formerly managed by the Premier’s Office.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade has been renamed the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development, and Digital Transformation. Its newly broadened remit includes Cooperatives, Industrial Development (including Incentives), Immigration, and the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment Development (RATED) Programme, along with Weights and Measures.

The Ministry of Communications and Works will now oversee Alternative Energy, a responsibility previously under the Ministry of Environment, reflecting the government’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

The Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr Natalio Wheatley, remains responsible for the Premier’s Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development, and the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development, and Digital Transformation. Dr Wheatley will be supported by Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable Dr Karl Dawson, and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith.

These adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to streamline government responsibilities, aligning ministerial remits to meet the evolving needs of the Virgin Islands. Under Section 56(1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, the Governor, with advice from the Premier, holds authority to assign ministerial responsibilities in writing, facilitating this latest reorganisation in service of the Territory’s administrative goals.

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The motion highlights several key points, including Premier Wheatley’s recent admission in the House of Assembly of a $20 million underestimation in salary increases for public officials, which could place a significant strain on public resources. It also criticizes the Premier for failing to produce an economic plan for the Territory, despite repeated requests from Opposition members, and for a lack of a comprehensive tourism plan to enhance the Virgin Islands’ market share.

Further allegations include the neglect of key government assets, such as the dilapidated state of the Prospect Reef Hotel, the mismanagement of public funds on initiatives like the Virgin Islands Music Festival 2024, and excessive government spending on international travel. The motion also points to the underfunding of critical sectors such as education, small businesses, and agriculture, and raises concerns over the Premier’s handling of the Territory’s infrastructure and public safety challenges.

Additional grievances center around the Premier’s unilateral decisions without public consultation, including his dialogues with the UN on decolonization and his acceptance of the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations. The Opposition contends that these actions have undermined public trust and accountability.

The motion concludes with a call for the dissolution of the current Fifth House of Assembly, urging a new election to allow citizens to elect a government in which they can place their confidence.

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During the meeting, the Commissioner of Police provided updates on the condition of the victim, Jeron Romney. Additionally, the Commissioner addressed recent media reports regarding gunshots heard in the area of Huntum’s Ghut on the evenings of March 23rd and 24th, 2024. However, investigations thus far have not confirmed the nature of these incidents.

The NSC committed to remaining informed on these matters and scheduled a follow-up discussion later in the week. Expressing gratitude, the NSC thanked community members who have come forward to assist the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force with the investigation and urged continued support from all communities throughout the Territory.

Specifically, the NSC encouraged anyone who had recent contact with Mr. Romney to reach out to Crime Stoppers and the confidential hotline at 800-8477 [TIPS] and 368-9339. Emphasising the importance of maintaining calm, the NSC called for peace and stability in the Territory.

Furthermore, the NSC reiterated its dedication to implementing measures and relevant legislation to address this and other unresolved crimes. The Council plays a crucial role in addressing internal security matters and significant security developments in the Territory, including instances of significant criminal activity.

As investigations continue and efforts to ensure the safety and security of residents progress, the NSC remains vigilant and committed to upholding the well-being of the British Virgin Islands community.

The National Security Council will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary actions to maintain law and order throughout the Territory.

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Addressing concerns about the frequency of such events after a decade-long hiatus, Premier Wheatley emphasised the economic advantages and global precedent of leveraging entertainment as a tourism strategy.

Asserting the value of hosting multiple musical events, Premier Wheatley dismissed the notion that the BVI should limit itself to a single music festival. “Some persons have promoted the concept that you can only have one Music Festival. Well, that’s nonsense. I’ll say that very directly,” he declared.

“The whole concept that it’s a waste of money, I believe, will be proven to be false,” Premier Wheatley asserted. “And I’ll add this about the opposition. Several of them are in government between 2011 and 2019. And they used to give plenty money to the music festival. And I find that often the opposition have selective memory… When these events happen, we should all be cheerleaders for the event, we should help to promote the events. We should be telling the world to come to the Virgin Islands as Virgin Islands patriots not playing politics.”

Premier Wheatley highlighted recent events, such as the “black on black” gathering, which attracted visitors from neighbouring regions, as evidence of the tourism potential of multiple festivals. He underscored the role of such events in bolstering tourism numbers and contributing to the overall success of the Virgin Islands.

Acknowledging the collaborative efforts between the government and private individuals in organising festivals, Premier Wheatley expressed confidence in the economic benefits generated by these events. “These music festivals generate money not just for the tourist board, not just for the government, but for the entire economy,” he explained.

To measure the economic impact of the Virgin Islands Music Festival and other events, Premier Wheatley announced plans to commission a study by the Central Statistics Office. “By the conclusion of this festival, we will have some idea of the economic impact not just to the BVI tourist, but not just to the government of the Virgin Islands, but the wider economy,” he stated.

In closing, Premier Wheatley expressed gratitude to the media and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration in promoting tourism and cultural events in the British Virgin Islands.

The Premier’s remarks underscored the government’s commitment to leveraging cultural events to drive economic growth and enhance the visitor experience in the British Virgin Islands.

https://www.facebook.com/jtv55/videos/3398300120461763

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“Our vision for tourism is clear. We aim to increase the number of tourists visiting the Virgin Islands and enhance the quality of their experiences,” said Premier Wheatley, highlighting the significant achievements in tourism over the past year. “Last year, we welcomed 994,253 visitors, the second-highest arrival numbers in our history, despite ongoing recovery efforts from hurricanes.”

Minister of Tourism echoed this sentiment, emphasising the need for targeted initiatives to attract visitors during traditionally slow months. “Diversifying our tourism product is key to boosting visitor numbers,” Minister Wheatley stated, citing successful events such as the BVI Arbitration Week and sports tournaments as examples of initiatives driving tourism growth.

One of the key strategies outlined by Premier Wheatley is the focus on entertainment tourism. “Events like music festivals have proven to be effective in increasing visitor numbers and enhancing visitor experiences,” Premier Wheatley explained. “We are committed to hosting multiple musical events throughout the year to add value to our tourism offerings.”

Minister of Tourism stressed the importance of collaboration between the government and private sector in organising successful events. “We are proud to partner with private indviduals and organisations to host events like the upcoming music festival,” Minister Wheatley said. “When these events are successful, we all benefit.”

In closing, Premier Wheatley expressed appreciation for the dedicated team working to improve the tourism product in the Virgin Islands. “We are confident that our efforts will yield positive results and further strengthen the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands,” Premier Wheatley concluded.

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Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved the Belonger Status and Permanent Residence Policy in a move aimed at addressing immigration concerns.

This policy tackles aspects of immigration, including eligibility criteria, guidelines for awarding status, quotas, and pathways for children born in the BVI to non-belonger parents. Premier and Minister responsible for Immigration Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley underscored the policy’s focus on striking a balance between growth, integration, and stability. He emphasized that while recognising immigrants’ contributions, the policy also safeguards the interests and heritage of Virgin Islanders.

Under the new policy, applicants must have been ordinarily resident in the Territory for a minimum of 10 years to be eligible to apply for Permanent Residence. Additionally, applicants seeking Belonger Status by tenure must have been ordinarily resident for at least 20 years while holding a Certificate of Residence Status for a minimum of ten years.

The rationale behind the 10-year requirement for Residence Status and an additional 10 years for Belonger Status is deeply rooted in the territory’s values of cultural assimilation and economic contribution. This phased approach allows individuals ample time to integrate, contribute to, and understand the Virgin Islands community, ensuring that residents and Belongers are deeply invested in the territory’s culture, history, and customs.

“The new Immigration Policy proposes planning and decision-making processes that will inform the sustainable management of statuses granted,” Premier Wheatley stated. The approval followed careful analysis, considering factors such as labor market needs, population density, and investment fostering, to ensure balanced growth.

Importantly, tenure alone is not sufficient to determine eligibility for Permanent Residence or Belonger Status. The character and skills of an applicant, among other factors, must also be considered in the decision-making process.

Residents awarded Residence Status will need to renew their certificates every five years, ensuring ongoing compliance with local laws and regulations. This renewal process allows the Board of Immigration to monitor residents’ adherence to legal standards, assess their integration and contribution to the community, and evaluate their progress towards meeting the criteria for Belonger Status.

This strategic approach aligns with the government’s commitment to enhance administrative policies and procedures, as Acting Permanent Secretary Mr. Joseph Smith Abbott highlighted. Extensive public consultations, integral to the policy formulation, reflect the government’s dedication to governance, aligning with the Public Service Transformation Plan.

“This policy marks a significant step forward in our journey towards development and prosperity for all in the Virgin Islands,” Mr. Smith Abbott remarked.

The policy is now accessible on the Government of the Virgin Islands’ website, and further discussions will be held on the “Table Talk” program. This milestone underscores the government’s commitment to fostering progress through policies and programs.

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Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio Wheatley emphasised the paramount importance of maintaining high standards of financial integrity and transparency, stating, “We know high standards of financial integrity and transparency that meet global standards are essential.” This commitment was further underscored by the government’s pledge to diligently implement recommendations outlined in the accompanying National Action Plan, unveiled in tandem with the report.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna Smith, OBE, outlined a comprehensive array of proactive measures already underway. These initiatives span from the revision of the National Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Policy to the establishment of a regulatory framework for virtual assets service providers (VASP).

Attorney General, Honourable Dawn J. Smith, shed light on the jurisdiction’s robust legislative framework and emphasised the imperative of fostering a cohesive partnership between the public and private sectors. “We have a strong legislative framework in place,” noted Minister Smith, stressing the collective responsibility shared by all stakeholders in combating financial malpractice.

The government’s proactive response to the CFATF report underscores its unwavering commitment to not only meet but exceed expectations in safeguarding the financial sector against illicit activities.

The CFATF Plenary, held in Aruba from November 26th to December 1st, 2023, adopted the Mutual Evaluation Report of the Virgin Islands (British). This evaluation provides a comprehensive analysis of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) measures in place in the Virgin Islands (British) as of the on-site visit conducted between March 13th and April 3rd, 2023. The report assesses the jurisdiction’s compliance with the FATF 40 Recommendations and evaluates the effectiveness of its AML/CFT system, offering recommendations to strengthen the system further.

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– Officials Concern About Timing

A team from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom for the first time will today oversee a stimulation exercise with key departments and entities under the command of the Governor in the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla.

The February 8 unprecedented departmental takeover in the two overseas territories aims to provide UK with essential insights and processes for swift and effective crisis management, facilitating the relay of critical information back to the UK office.

According to sources, the FCDO has been conducting training sessions in the BVI for the past week as part of disaster preparedness efforts.

“UK crisis management experts are in the BVI to host a week of training with the Governor’s Office, DDM (Department of Disaster Management) and other agencies as part of disaster preparedness. The training will culminate in a semi-live scenario exercise at the end of the week” explained the communication source in the Office if the newly appointed Governor Mr. Daniel Pruce.

In UK overseas territories the Governor has the power to take control of territory should there be a crisis or disaster.

Amidst the anticipation surrounding the exercise, concerns have emerged among the public regarding its underlying motivations. Speculations that the training and simulation are prompted by the ongoing challenges faced by the government in implementing recommended reforms, compounded by the overarching Order in Council.

Former Governor John J. Rankin’s push for increased powers has further fuels these concerns.

Some government workers have voiced discomfort over the lack of clarity and oversight regarding the visiting officers’ interactions with their departments.

“There have been these UK people coming to our office and demanding or they might say requesting certain information, asking us to show them this and that. But the thing is it seems that our bosses were even aware that these people were coming and we are required to give them whatever information they ask for,” one government official said.

In his last quarterly report issued in January, Governor Rankin expressed reservations about the “capability and determination” of the BVI government to effectively guide and conclude essential reforms.

He highlighted that despite having a considerable time frame of twenty-one months, the government only managed to address 25 out of 48 identified reforms, with just five months remaining before the deadline expires.

While underscoring the necessity for endowing the governor with increased authority, Rankin pointed fingers at the ministers for the slow pace in implementing reforms.

However, Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley rebuffed the proposal for additional powers to be bestowed upon the governor, labelling the suggestion as a regression into colonialism.

He noted that contrary to the governor’s report, “the government has been working diligently on governance reforms since May 2022. We have made genuine strides in strengthening the systems and institutions of government. Good progress has been made and the work involved continues.”

“The Governor should not be seeking additional powers to bypass democracy and the people of the British Virgin Islands so that he can implement measures as he sees fit without any democratic accountability. It would be a colonial act.”

On February 5, UK Member of Parliament David Rutley commenced a series of meetings with Premier Wheatley and other ministers to receive updates on the advancements in governance reforms.

Prior to his arrival in the Territory, Rutley stressed that “the Overseas Territories are a core part of the UK family and the UK Government is committed to the security. prosperity and well-being of the people of the British Virgin Islands. We want to see a successful, thriving, well-governed BVI, and will continue to do our utmost to support the Governor and the people of the BVI to achieve that goal.”

In January 2021, the ex-Governor Augustus Jaspert launched a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to probe possible corruption, abuse of office, or substantial dishonesty within the public sector.

Inquiry Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom on April 4, 2022, presented a detailed 900-page report to Rankin, unveiling corruption findings across different government tiers.

The report comprised 45 specific recommendations, featuring four broad suggestions, one of which proposed the partial suspension of the constitution to revamp the governmental and governance structures in the BVI.

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“The Commission of Inquiry has identified serious governance and reputational issues, but progress on implementing its recommendations has been too slow, with agreed deadlines missed.  That is why I am here: to listen and understand from those working directly on the reforms how they can be delivered quicker so that the people of BVI get the good governance they deserve,” Rutley said in a February 5 statement issued by the Governor’s Office shortly after his arrival in the territory.

He added that “the UK will provide further technical assistance if required,” and warned that “if there continues to be a lack of progress, we will not hesitate to take further action to help deliver the much-needed reforms.”

The Member of Parliament will hold meetings with Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley and other ministers to receive an update on progress of governance reforms stemming from an independent inquiry into governance in the territory.

Rutley stressed that “the Overseas Territories are a core part of the UK family and the UK Government is committed to the security. prosperity and well-being of the people of the British Virgin Islands. We want to see a successful, thriving, well-governed BVI, and will continue to do our utmost to support the Governor and the people of the BVI to achieve that goal.”

In his final quarterly report released on January 5, outgoing Governor John Rankin expressed reservations about the “capability and determination” of the BVI government to effectively drive and complete crucial reforms.

Rankin highlighted that despite having a considerable time frame of twenty-one months, the government only managed to address 25 out of 48 identified reforms, with just five months remaining before the deadline expires.

The report underscored that failing to meet the deadline would result in the retention of the Order in the Council, a potential two-year constitutional suspension.

It was former Governor Augustus Jaspert who initiated a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in January 2021 to investigate potential corruption, abuse of office, or significant dishonesty within the public sector.

The Inquiry Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom submitted a comprehensive 900-page report to Rankin on April 4, 2022, outlining findings of corruption across various government levels.

The report included 45 specific recommendations, with four overarching suggestions, including the partial suspension of the constitution to overhaul the BVI’s governmental and governance structures.

Amidst the looming threat of government suspension and the aftermath of Premier Andrew Fahie’s arrest in April 2022 in the United States on drug and money laundering allegations, an interim government led by recently appointed Premier Natalio Wheatley emerged.

Wheatley, who had previously served as Deputy Premier during the review, spearheaded efforts to avert a constitutional suspension. With partial implementation of the recommendations, the 2023 elections saw all political parties committing to uphold the COI recommendations upon assuming office. Premier Wheatley secured re-election in April 2023.

Newly appointed Governor Daniel Pruce stressed that the “Minister’s visit comes at a crucial time for the BVI, and signals the UK’s interest and commitment to ensuring that the BVI succeeds.”

“Delivering the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry will help us achieve the positive changes we all want to see, including better access to services, a fairer society with opportunities for all and a more accountable and transparent government.”

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He emphasised the significance of public participation in shaping the policy’s final form and urged members of the public to provide feedback. “It is important for the voices and perspectives of our community to be heard,” he said. “Your feedback will contribute to refining the Immigration Policy, ensuring it aligns with the needs and aspirations of our people.”

He further elaborated on the policy’s focus on planning and decision-making processes to ensure the sustainable management of granted statuses. “Careful analysis of labor market needs, population density, and resource availability will inform balanced growth,” Premier Wheatley stated. “This approach will contribute to a controlled and beneficial immigration process, enhancing the overall well-being and prosperity of the Virgin Islands.”

The Premier further explained “The foundation of this policy is to strike a balance between economic growth, cultural integration, and social stability. It aims to recognise the invaluable contributions of immigrants while safeguarding the interests and heritage of Virgin Islanders.”

The proposed policy and stakeholder report are now available on the Government’s website, with individuals encouraged to submit their feedback via email to mtcsd@gov.vg by Friday, February 2.

Premier Wheatley concluded his message with a call for collective action towards the sustainable development of the Territory. “Together, let us work towards policies and programs that promote the social and economic progress of the Virgin Islands,” he affirmed.

Click the below link for the Immigration Policy

https://bvi.gov.vg/sites/default/files/immigration_policy_29012024_1.pdf

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