The sport of horse racing has been a part of the fabric of this community for many years. We have seen it grow from horses racing on unprepared grounds to what we have today at the Ellis Thomas Downs. There is no doubt that it has become a part of our culture.

Ladies and Gentlemen good morning;

It is my pleasure to bring opening remarks at this very important workshop on Business Recovery Operations.  

Madame Speaker in April of last year when the Social Security (Amendment) Act, 2014 was debated and passed I addressed this Honourable House on the subject of Universal Health Coverage.  This amendment laid the foundation for a National Health Insurance System in the Virgin Islands.  

Madam Speaker, as we are aware, Tropical Storm Erika passed through the Caribbean last week and left a path of destruction in its wake. Several islands including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, St. Croix and Dominica were affected by the storm. Thankfully the British Virgin Islands was spared.

Hounourable Dr. D. Orlando Smith, OBE, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hounourable Dr. Kedrick Pickering, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hounourable Mark Vanterpool, Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable. Myron V Walwyn, Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, other members of the House of Assembly, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Development and staff Director, BVI Social Security Board and staff, Deputy Director with responsibility for NHI and members of the NHI team, fellow residents of the Virgin Islands, members of the Media, Good Morning.

A day when we can as a country finally say that everybody in the BVI, adults, children, the elderly will have access to health care that is good and that is affordable.

On behalf of the Government and people of the British Virgin Islands, I extend my deep and sincere condolences to the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica on the devastation and loss of life caused by the passage of Tropical storm Erika. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Residents of the BVI, once again we have been spared significant impact from a tropical weather system, and we are grateful to God.

Residents of The Virgin Islands, by now you should be aware that a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the Territory. This means that we can expect tropical storm conditions in the warning area within 36 hours.

Residents of The Virgin Islands, I trust that you have been following the updates on Danny and like I am, you are thankful that the system has been now been downgraded to a tropical storm.