Statement by Mrs. Michelle Donovan-Stevens

Director of Human Resources on the Payment of 2018 Increments for the 2017 Work Year

9^th December, 2021

His Excellency, the Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, chaired the Meeting on 24th November, 2021, which was held at the Financial Services Commission’s Resource Centre. 

Good Day and God’s Blessings to each and every one under the sound of my voice, especially to the children and teachers of the Virgin Islands. Let me begin by reiterating that the children of the Virgin Islands are the future of the Virgin Islands, and they deserve the best learning environment possible. Our teachers are the vanguards of our future and they deserve the best working environment possible.

His Excellency, the Acting Governor Mr. David D. Archer, Jr., chaired the Meeting held on 17th November, 2021, in the absence of Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, who was overseas on official business. The Meeting was held at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room.

Good day and GOD’s blessings to everyone in the Virgin Islands, and to you the members of the media. The purpose of this briefing this morning is to update you and the Virgin Islands public on the recent trip to the United Kingdom (UK) by a team from the Government, for the annual Overseas Territories (OT) Joint Ministerial Council (JMC), which was the first JMC in-person meeting since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today I was saddened to learn of the passing of The Right Honourable Sir James Fitz-Allen Mitchell, KCMG, PC, former Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, at the grand age of 90. Over the course of his long and distinguished political career, Sir James made tremendous contributions to achieving the political independence, economic stability and growth and development of his beloved country of birth.

Greetings and God’s blessings

On Monday 22nd November, for the first time in our history, the Virgin Islands will be celebrating a new and powerful holiday, “The 1949 Great March and Restoration Day.”  One of the most powerful and influential events in the history of the Virgin Islands occurred 72 years ago, on November 24th 1949.  At a time when the population of the Virgin Islands was under 7000, 1500 persons, led by Theodolf Faulkner, Isaac “Glanny Fonseca, and Carlton Decastro, marched through Road Town, demanding among other things the restoration of our legislative council. 

The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands - Post Meeting Statements....

It is important that I begin this Budget Address from the words of Abba, our Father as found in Luke 12:8, “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God.”

His Excellency, the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG, chaired the Virtual Meeting held on 22nd October, 2021.