His Excellency the Governor Mr. Augustus Jaspert has appointed Mr. David Archer, Jr., as Deputy to Governor effective April 23 to April 26, and from April 29 to May 2 while he is on personal leave in the Territory.

According to Executive Private Secretary to the Governor Mrs. Arliene T. Penn, Mr. Archer's appointment as the Deputy to Governor is pursuant to Section 39(1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, which states, “Whenever the Governor has occasion to be absent from the seat of Government but not from the Virgin Islands; the Governor may, acting in his discretion, by instrument under the public seal, appoint the Deputy Governor, or if the Deputy Governor is not available any other person in the Virgin Islands who is a Virgin Islander as defined in section 65 (2), to be his deputy during such absence and in that capacity to perform on his behalf such of the functions of the office of Governor as may be specified in that instrument.”

Mrs. Penn further said that the Governor will be away from the Territory from May 3 to 5, at which time Mr. Archer will serve as the Acting Governor in accordance with section 37 (1) (a) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007 which states, “During any period when the office of Governor is vacant, or the Governor is absent from the Virgin Islands or is for any other reason unable to perform the functions of his or her office, the Deputy Governor shall during Her Majesty’s pleasure, act in the office of Governor and shall perform the functions of that office accordingly.”

She said that the Office of the Governor is committed to supporting continuous improvement in the British Virgin Islands through service, partnership and open communication.