The Government of the Virgin Islands is advising that Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE, is currently away from the Territory until August 25.

In Premier Smith’s absence, Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, will act as Premier (due to the absence of the Deputy Premier, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering), in accordance with Section 55 (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

The section 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.”