Mr. Speaker, I dedicate my presentation today to expressing my sincere thanks to the Government and people of the Virgin Islands for the confidence that they have placed in me to perform the role, duties and responsibilities of Attorney General. In doing so, I will talk about who I am, how I got here and what I am going to do.

Good morning Honourable  Members and our guests in the gallery. Welcome to the FIFTEENTH SITTING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FOURTH HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, today Thursday October 1, 2020, to celebrate a historic occasion in which we will be swearing in a local Attorney General for the second time in twenty-one (21) years. 

The month of October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Today, I am pleased to present to you a synopsis of the Territory’s performance in the 2020 CXC Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and CXC Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). Given the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications, our students persevered through many psychological, social and emotional challenges. This pandemic forced our students to deal with great uncertainty, adapt to new learning conditions and adopt new studying practices.

I would like to provide an update on plans for further UK support that will strengthen the integrity of our borders and improve the security of the people of the British Virgin Islands.

Mr. Speaker, it is my duty to update the people of the Virgin Islands on the phased reopening of schools.  During my statement on the reopening of schools on Tuesday, 25th August, 2020, I announced that our phased plan to reopen schools was derailed due to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the Territory.  I also stated that this decision would be reviewed in the weeks that followed.  Since then we have had dozens of active cases.  Through the leadership of the Minister of Health and the HEOC team and the cooperation of the public, we have been able to contain this latest outbreak of the Corona Virus, and for this we give all thanks to God!  But we are not out of the woods yet, and, Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and adhere to the various health and social distancing guidelines as we continue in our efforts to combat the virus.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to update this Honourable House and the Territory on the activities of the Social Security Board.

Mister Speaker, as the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, I have responsibility for the appointment of a Tribunal under the Labour Code, 2010 (No. 4 of 2010) as part of the mechanism for the settlement of labour disputes.

FOURTEENTH SITTING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FOURTH HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
PREMIER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE 
HONOURABLE ANDREW A. FAHIE

TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2020

I wish to update this honourable House on my participation in three recent virtual United Nations meetings that took place against the backdrop of COVID-19.