Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour
By the Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering
Holiday Message, 2018

Greetings, I am Dr. Kedrick Pickering, Representative for the Seventh Electoral District and Minister responsible for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour of the Government of the Virgin Islands. On behalf of the Ministry, I take this opportunity to wish you the people of the Virgin Islands and your families an enjoyable and peaceful Holiday Season.

Special holiday greetings to the people of the Seventh Electoral District, who over the years, have placed your confidence in me to be your representative. I pledge to continue to do my best to serve you as we do our best to improve our community and by extension, our Territory.

Christmas traditions continue to be a time of togetherness of families and friends during this magical time of the year. It is a time where we as a people showcase our core values, our customs and our culture as we participate in this observation that was built on the very roots as Virgin Islanders.’ Soaking in the aromas of freshly baked goods such as black cakes and coconut tarts, and while Christmas is almost entirely built around the taste buds and associated festivities, it is my hope that we have learnt from our experiences just over a year ago of the importance to share and to give.  Let us not be wasteful, excessive or squirreling at this time, but let us remember others who are less fortunate. Now more than ever let us come together and celebrate all the things that we have to be thankful for this holiday season.  As Virgin Islanders we have much to be thankful for!

Fellow citizens and residents of Nature’s Little Secrets let us remember to celebrate in a green way as we nurture and protect our environment that has undergone a lot during the last year and a half. We are resilient people!  Let us continue to be united as OneBVI as we continue to rebuild our country Stronger, Better and Greener.

Remember not to take any of our blessings for granted.

So on behalf of my immediate family, my wife Alice and our children, the staff of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, and the people of the seventh district, I wish you all a safe and wonderful Holiday Season.  And as we prepare for the New Year 2019, I pray that God will continue to watch over us, guide us and protect us.

May God bless us and may God continue to bless these beautiful Virgin Islands. Have a safe and peaceful Holiday Season. God bless you.