My Fellow Virgin Islanders:

In accordance with Section 84 (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, I have today asked His Excellency the Governor to dissolve the House of Assembly on Friday 1st May, 2015 to allow for the holding of a General Election in accordance with Section 86 of the said Constitution Order.

Good afternoon:

This morning around 6:30 a.m. visibility was not particularly good, but as I made out the Norwegian Getaway making her way to Road Harbour, in front of Salt Island and Cooper, my heart skipped a beat. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the expansion of our cruise pier and the soon to be completed land-side development, is most certainly one of the greatest accomplishments for this Government, the Ministry of Communications and Works and our National Democratic Party Government, to date

I acknowledge the protocol already established.

Ladies and gentleman, honoured guests.

It gives me great pleasure to extend congratulations to the BVI Government and the people of the British Virgin Islands on the occasion of the opening of the New Cruise Ship Pier.

Ladies and gentlemen, this journey began less than one year ago, on May 8, 2014 when we broke ground for the expansion of this cruise pier project. At that time, I promised you a new day for our tourism product.

Ladies and gentlemen good morning:

Today, we are here to observe the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’, under the theme “Join in Building a Culture of Prevention on Occupational Safety and Health.”

Good morning

Today we are here to officially launch the Virgin Islands National Youth Policy, and recognise the 2015 recipients of the Virgin Islands Emerging Fellow Award.

Today’s youth is the fastest growing demographic in the world’s population. According to a report from the World Bank, countries that invest in their youth have the opportunity to see a surge in economic growth. Those that do not invest in the lives of their young citizens, experience tensions that present obstacles to any growth.

In 2012, my Government started a conversation with Rosewood Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort to partner in developing the human resources of this Territory in the areas of hospitality and tourism.

This initial conversation which has blossomed into a memorandum of understanding to benefit the people of the Virgin Islands, specifically BVIslanders living and working on Virgin Gorda. I see as important for several reasons:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media, Good Morning.

On March 12, 2015, I laid a report in the BVI House of Assembly titled “Building on a Thriving and Sustainable Financial Services Sector in the British Virgin Islands”.

At that time, I explained that my Government commissioned the internationally respected consulting firm of McKinsey and Company to develop a pragmatic strategy and implementation plan that would chart a new direction for our financial services industry.