Madam Speaker, I am pleased to share with this Honourable House the successes of the recently concluded 36th OECS/PPS Policy Board Meeting and 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Health held in the Virgin Islands under my Chairmanship.

Madam Speaker, I would like to provide this Honourable House with an update on my recent visit to New York in early October where I made a statement to the Fourth Committee at the ongoing 78^th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

Madame Speaker, The Virgin Islands has adopted a comprehensive an inclusive approach to the management of Crown lands and has subsequently engage in the development of a Crown Land Policy, which is now out in the public domain for consultation.

The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, recognises that the Jost Van Dyke Primary School (JVDPS) is subjected to constant flooding when it rains.  For this reason, the construction of the new school, remains an urgent priority and is currently in the final stages of completion.

Madame Speaker, the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development (R.A.T.E.D.) Programme seeks to provide a pathway for persons who are unemployed or who are under-employed to obtain an opportunity through short-term employment, apprenticeship and/or training and development. 

Madame Speaker, agriculture and fisheries remain a high priority on the Government’s agenda, and I wish to provide an update on current matters.

Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to provide an update on the Territory’s Road Infrastructure. 

As you know, the road infrastructure throughout the Territory is not ideal.  There is substantial deterioration of not only the top layer, which is the asphalt layer, but also the base and subbase layers that have been compromised in many areas.

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform you and the public that Tropical Storm Philippe caused significant damage to the Beautiful Virgin Islands when it made landfall on October 3rd, 2023. The storm brought approximately eight (8) inches of rain, resulting in overwhelming amounts of mud and debris in our ghuts and our waterways. Fallen trees, boulders, and mud have also blocked roads and drains across the territory.

Madam Speaker, early last month, I gave an update on the progress of development of the West End Ferry Terminal, and I stand here today to present a further update on the additional progress made to date on this important development for our Territory. 

Madam Speaker, with your permission I would like to present a bill seeking the suspension of the Virgin Islands Trade Commission Act, 2020. This Act, passed on 8 June 2020, aimed to establish the Virgin Islands Trade Commission, and vest it with critical responsibilities related to business, trade, investment, and consumer affairs within our jurisdiction. The Act came into effect on 21 November 2022, through Statutory Instrument S.I. 103 of 2022.