My dear fellow Virgin Islands people, today, Monday, 6 September, marks the four-year anniversary of the passage of Hurricane Irma. The catastrophic Category 5 hurricane devastated our homes, personal possessions, livestock, businesses and jobs, our economy, but it did not destroy our most important quality—our resilience; that indomitable spirit that pervades our DNA, which was passed to us by our foreparents.

We are now 18 months into the worst pandemic to hit the world in over 100 years. And by the Grace of God, and the cooperation of all our people – our public officers, our health personnel, persons in law enforcement and other agencies, the business community, and other members of the public – and with the support of many persons and agencies outside of the Territory, the Virgin Islands has been able to manage through the COVID-19 crisis thus far.

Today I rise to update this Honourable House on the Ministry’s ongoing work to support the agriculture and fisheries sectors. 

“Restore, Increase, Sustain and Educate”, abbreviated as “RISE”, was the theme of a successful Farmers and Fishers’ Week 2021. 

Mister Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to address this Honourable House and the people of the Virgin Islands.

On August 2, I had the opportunity to travel to Tokyo to support our awesome Virgin Islands Olympians and witness history in the making. 

Mister Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to recognise the achievements of Virgin Islanders on the world stage.

On June 26, 2021 our very own Mrs. Sophia M. Rubaine aka ‘Sophie B’ was crowned Mrs. Curve Globe 2021.  Sophia competed against contestants from Russia, Australia, Canada, the United States, among other places and captured the BVI’s first international crown.  This is a source of great pride for the Virgin Islands.

His Excellency, the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG, chaired the Meeting held on 25th August, 2021, which was held at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room.

I consider it a sacred duty for a Premier to keep citizens informed of what their elected Government is doing, and hence I have been holding to this promise.

Mister Speaker, I would have made a statement to the Virgin Islands on Tuesday regarding the opening of school, and I believe that it is important that it be read into the records of the this Honourable House, so when future parliamentarians take their place and look back at history, they would know exactly what was done and said in the Honourable House at a specific point in our history.

His Excellency, the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG, chaired the Virtual Meeting held on 11th August, 2021. All Members were present, with the exception of the Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, who was overseas on private business.