Good afternoon ladies and gentleman of the press corps and persons listening online and via radio.

In June of this year, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports arranged for a structural analysis to be conducted on the Althea Scatliffe Primary School building.

Over the last two years, we have celebrated emancipation virtually. I am happy to see that we can physically commemorate this important and historic milestone in our Virgin Islands history.

A pleasant good day to all our Virgin Islands people and to the members of the media who are with us.

Madam Speaker, I crave your indulgence and ask that I be allowed at this time to update this Honourable House on matters pertaining to the financial services sector, specifically with regard to Russian sanctions. 

Madam Speaker, I wish to now give an update on preparations for the various assessments that the Virgin Islands is presently involved in. Whilst these assessments are at varying stages and are reviewing diverse areas in the tax and regulatory sphere, they all have one thing in common. A successful conclusion and outcome of each assessment is paramount to sustaining a viable financial services industry for the Territory.

Madam Speaker, I would like to give this Honourable House a brief update on the direct contribution from the financial services sector in 2022 in monetary terms, for the first quarter of 2022.

Fellow Virgin Islanders,

As the final week of July commences, the Government of National Unity continues to forge ahead on reform. We have made good progress in June and July in a number of areas. However, some of the most difficult issues lie ahead. As a society, we must be prepared to meaningfully engage with each other, but in a constructive and civilized manner.

Madam Speaker, emancipation is important to our heritage and identity. 

Madam Speaker, I wish to give a brief update on the maintenance of schools across the Territory.