Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE will be away from the Territory from Saturday, December 23 until Saturday, December 30 on personal leave.

In Premier Smith’s absence, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Kedrick Pickering will act as in accordance with Section 55 (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

Honourable Pickering’s appointment is in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy 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 the Premier.”