Mister Speaker, I would like to make this statement by way of an update on the French listing of BVI on its list of non-cooperative states and territories in tax matters.

Mister Speaker, I am pleased to inform this honourable house that the Taxi and Livery Commission has been making steady progress towards regulating the transportation-for-hire industry since the new Board was appointed in October 2019.

Mister Speaker, everyone would be aware that the catastrophic hurricanes of 2017, namely Irma & Maria exacted billions of dollars in damages to public and private infrastructures, buildings and livelihoods -- the effects of which the BVI and other regional Island-Nations are still experiencing. 

Mister Speaker, placing Virgin Islanders at the centre of development activities through expanding access to educational opportunities continues to be a central focus of this Government’s agenda. The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) continues to expand its offerings through various Memoranda of Understanding. Today I am pleased to give a statement on three recent programmes in which the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) has been engaged.

Mr. Speaker, last year, I announced my intention to examine the additional year of instruction in our public secondary schools, with the intention of deciding whether it would continue.  Mr. Speaker, I held public meetings, which yielded useful feedback on the topic.  I was able to confirm that, indeed, there were students in the system who benefitted from the additional year as well as students who were being held back by the additional year.

Minister Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to provide an update on some education matters. The main areas of focus during our professional development sessions is physical literacy for all and critical literacy.  To promote physical literacy, Sports for Life Team and the BVI Olympic Committee graciously donated physical education equipment to the schools. I express my sincere appreciation to their generous donations.  In addition to the training that took place in August and November 2019, the final training is scheduled for 4^th – 15^th May, 2020. We also held our annual Excellence in Teaching workshops for teachers on Tortola and Virgin Gorda also as a part of on-going professional development.

Water Distribution

Mister Speaker, the pump at the Long Trench station has been installed.  The operationalization of this pump is dependent on an adequate power supply which necessitates a 480kw transformer which is now being installed by BVI Electricity Cooperation. This is expected to provide a consistent supply of water to the residents of Sea Cows Bay and surrounding areas.

Mister Speaker, I rise to update this Honourable House and the citizens of the Virgin Islands on the progress being made with my ministerial portfolio. The Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities (MTWU) continues to forge ahead towards the improvement of infrastructure and utilities of our beloved Virgin Islands.

Mister Speaker, since the decision was made by Cabinet to have the rehabilitation works on the R.T. O’Neal Administration complex carried out by the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities, the Ministry has been hard at work.  As a matter of health and safety, it was decided that all occupants of the building needed to vacate the premises.  

Mister Speaker, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has partnered with Ultimate Vacation B.V.I Ltd. to ensure the success of the Ultimate Biker’s Run 2020 that is slated for March 29, 2020 right here on Tortola.