Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE has said his government welcomes the opportunity to partner with the community in its plans to observe the 1^st anniversary of the passage of Hurricane Irma.

The 1^st anniversary of the passage of the hurricane will be observed on September 6, with a ‘Service of Thanksgiving, Reflection and Restoration’. Prayers, performances and addresses will be delivered at the Central Administration Complex at 4:00 p.m.

Premier Smith said there is no denying the physical and psychological effects caused by the passage of hurricane Irma, and is encouraging Territory-wide participation in the observation of the occasion.

The Premier said, “There are many of us who would remove that dreadful day from our memories if we could. However, let us not dwell on what took place but instead offer thanksgiving and praise to God for his mercies and focus on how far we have come one year later.”

The public is also being invited to observe the day through community outreach programmes, social events or by conducting activities at church, home, schools or place of business.

On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma struck the British Virgin Islands as a Category 5 hurricane. The event resulted in significant damages which exceeded the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the British Virgin Islands and caused widespread damage to the housing stock, road infrastructure, ports, telecommunications, electrical infrastructure and critical facilities. Four lives were lost and 125 persons were injured in the devastation.