Madam Speaker, the Government of National Unity is mindful that there exists in the national community persons who, for varied reasons, experience periods of unemployment and/or underemployment, and therefore have difficulty providing for the needs of their families and meeting their regular expenses.

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to inform this Honourable House and this Community about the Effective Leadership Training Programme which commenced on January 18^th through a partnership between the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports and The Institute of Education at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

Madam Speaker, thank you for another opportunity to update this Honourable House on the progress being made with the implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report. 

Madam Speaker, this school year, the Ministry of Education has endeavoured to re-imagine education as we work to better prepare our students to be leaders in an ever-changing world.

Madam Speaker, I wish to update this Honourable House on the successful completion of the ESHS Redevelopment project which signified a major investment in the infrastructure that supports education in the Virgin Islands.

Madam Speaker, on 12^th October, 2020 the Government of the Virgin Islands broke ground at the New Market Square location in Road Town.

Madam Speaker, I rise to address the important and concerning issue of a significant increase in the unauthorised use of beaches in the Territory. Beaches are arguably BVI’s most important asset, contributing significantly to our quality of life as residents and to our economy.

Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to further highlight recent developments within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour pertaining to funding. The Ministry is in receipt of a grant from the European Union and their partners Expertise France in the amount of 927,890 Euros or approximately $965,000 US dollars through the Overseas Countries and Territories’ Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity Programme - RESEMBID.

Madam Speaker, on Thursday 19^th January, The Honourable Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley during his recent official visit to the UK, signed into effect a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the BVI Government and the prestigious University of Southampton.

Madam Speaker, Members of the House of Assembly, ladies, and gentlemen, good morning.

As Governor of the Virgin Islands, I am honoured to deliver this Speech from the Throne on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III.