It was with great sadness that I learned that our former Governor of the Virgin Islands, Mr. Mark Herdman, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and Lieutenant of Royal Victorian Order had passed away on August 5. 

My heart has been heavy with a great sadness since yesterday morning when my wife, Lorna woke me up with the news that Mr. Ali had passed.  But today we thank God for Mr. Ali's wisdom that he shared with so many of us, for his generosity, for his vision, for his passion and for his compassion.  We thank God that Mr. Ali came to live amongst us some fifty years ago and helped to make our beloved British Virgin Islands a better place.

Good Evening. I wish to recognise His Excellency the Governor, John S. Duncan OBE, Acting Premier Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, other Ministers of Government and Members of the House of Assembly, the Deputy Governor Mrs V. Inez Archibald, CBE, Permanent Secretaries and other top managers in the Public Service, recipients of the award of Excellence and other members of the Public Service of the Virgin Islands present here today.

Despite allowing a period of one month and one day for further reflection and consultation, I regret to announce that the Members of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands have been unable to agree the recommendation of a Leader of the Opposition in accordance with section 70 (2) (a) of the Virgin Islands Constitution.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

I thank you for being here this afternoon. This is first of many press briefings to come.

As a reminder, this forum is two-fold. It provides an opportunity for me to inform you of the work of my Government. Secondly, it provides an opportunity for us to have discourse about the work of my Government. 

Madame Speaker, the development of the Agricultural Industry is a key factor in the Territory’s move towards food security. However, there is a need to recognize the fact that times have changed and there are many challenges facing this Industry and thus we must employ appropriate strategies that will mitigate those challenges.... 

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present an update on the water situation in the Territory, which I know is uppermost on the minds of many of our residents, who have been suffering from the lack of an adequate water supply for some time.

Good morning Madame Chair,

On behalf of the Government and People of the Virgin Islands, I bid a warm welcome to the leaders and participants of the many Social Security Boards from the Caribbean region, United States of America, and Suriname. 

I have had the pleasure of working on a number of initiatives in education and youth development - from youth employment, the development of our youth policy, the opening of a true technical secondary school, even the launch of our illustrious Territorial song and wear.  But graduands, there is one item that keeps evading me but I will work diligently to realise this before my second term in office ends - how can we get this graduation to last just 90 minutes.

Primary school may have been easy for some of you.  High school, however, can be daunting; you will learn new subjects, and experience new and different challenges.  Whatever your experiences, keep your focus and always remember the values and principles instilled in you by your parents and reinforced by your teachers. Begin to set serious goals for your life and remember that those goals will not always come easy.  You will have to work hard, be determined and I assure you, success will find you.