Mr. Speaker, we are moving forward with recovery in the middle of the COVID-19 and an active hurricane season.

In this ‘new regular’ era of reopening, as a Government we have taken a phased approach where businesses that would be allowed to operate was determined from solely an economic standpoint.

Mister Speaker, I rise to provide this Honourable House with an update to the current progression of initiatives under the portfolio of the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Virgin Islands is partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist Micro Small and Medium size Enterprises in the food services sector including restaurants, cafes and food vans.

Mr. Speaker, on 7 June, we ushered in a new beginning as we launched a charitable nonprofit organisation that is designed to support the growth and development of the Virgin Islands though philanthropic contributions.

Mr. Speaker, on June 2, our Territory successfully crossed another milestone in the journey of living and working with COVID-19 under the New Regular. We began the phased and controlled reopening of our borders, particularly at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport.

Mr. Speaker, Monday, June 1 was the start of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. The season goes up until Monday, November 30.

As you are aware from previous public statements, the Auditor General undertook a special audit into the Government’s financing of the BVI Airways Agreement which was intended to provide a direct airlift to Miami.  This followed a number of concerns raised by a number of people, including myself, about the Government financing of this failed project.

The Virgin Islands consists of some 60 islands, cays and rocks that amount to an average land mass/area of 153 square kilometers. By contrast, the Virgin Islands has the rights and responsibilities to approximately over 84,000 square kilometers of ocean space. This amounts to approximately 550 times more ocean real estate than that of the land.

A pleasant Good Day and God’s Blessings to all.

I do trust that everyone is remaining safe as we continue to live and work in COVID-19.

Last week, your Government presented our $62.9 million Phase Two COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which contained several programmes to help support families and small businesses during these trying times.

The Virgin Islands joins with many countries throughout the world in the observance of World Environment Day.  Started in 1974, World Environment Day represents a call to action to conserve the natural, precious assets that comprise the animals, plants and other species which share this earth with humans.