Madam Speaker, I wish to report to this Honourable House on two recent initiatives aimed at improving trade and commerce within the region, and which I was fortunate to be a part of, representing the Virgin Islands.

Madame Speaker, 21 October is a significant day in the Virgin Islands.

On that day, 50 years ago in 1972, the first observance of BVI/USVI (British Virgin Islands/United States Virgin Islands) Friendship Day was held here, specifically on Tortola.

Madam Speaker, last Friday, 21 October, 2022, the Virgin Islands witnessed yet another senseless, reckless and outright despicable act of gun violence, which resulted in the loss of two lives and injuries to two other persons in Fat Hog’s Bay. The deceased are Kawa Cornwall, aged 38, of Long Bush, and Kadeem E. Frett, 28, of Long Look. The incident took place shortly after 8:30 pm in a very busy and crowded area in Fat Hog’s Bay.

Madam Speaker,

I would like to update this Honourable House on national and political developments in the United Kingdom (UK) that we here the Virgin Islands must pay close attention to as a British Overseas Territory (BOT).

Today, we collectively express our deepest sympathies and regret on the passing of the Registrar General of the Civil Registry and Passport Office, Mrs. Stephanie Benn.

On the 4th October I was pleased to publish the first Quarterly Review of the Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and Other Reforms which was agreed between the UK and Government of National Unity.  The Quarterly Review is a key part of the process for monitoring the implementation of the COI recommendations. 

People of the Virgin Islands, I greet you heartily on this Heroes and Foreparents Day. This holiday was conceived as a means of recognizing outstanding Virgin Islanders for their contribution to our society.  As we reflect on the findings of the commission of inquiry and seek to improve areas of governance where we have identified weaknesses, it is important to remember that we have also made tremendous progress.

His Excellency, the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG, chaired the Special Meeting held on 30th September, 2022 held at the Financial Services Commission’s Resource Centre, Jones Building.

More than five months ago the Government of National Unity made a commitment to reform in order to strengthen the Territory’s institutions and systems of government and to transform the way the Government’s business is handled, beginning with us.

2022 His Excellency, the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG, chaired the Meeting held on 23rd September, 2022. The meeting was held at the Financial Services Commission’s Resource Centre, Jones Building.