The Government of the Virgin Islands is advising that Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE is away from the Territory from Thursday, October 12, and will be away until Sunday, October 15. The Premier will be attending a high-level Caribbean Round Table Meeting.

In Premier Smith’s absence, Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool will act as Premier due to the absence of the Deputy Premier, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, who will also be away from the Territory on duty travel.

This is in accordance with Section 55 (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, which states: “If both the Premier and the Deputy Premier are expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise another Minister designated by the Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of either the Premier or the Deputy Premier.