Good day and God's Blessings to all the people of the Virgin Islands and beyond.

I wish to categorically condemn and debunk, as malicious and fake-news, an article that began circulating this morning on internet and social media channels under the headline, “FINANCIAL INSPECTION: Andrew Fahie risks 10 years in prison for Virgin Islanders using his new app to "get rich too fast"”, and with a sub-headline that states – and I quote: “Virgin Islander citizens are already raking in millions of dollars from home using this "wealth loophole" - but is it legitimate?”

I extend morning Greetings to all here in the BVI, the Region and the World.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to accelerate, and we are deeply saddened by its rising death toll as health systems and economies far and near buckle under the strain of second and third waves of infection.

A few weeks ago, during the Seventh Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly held on April 15, I provided an update on the education sector in which I reported that Cabinet had decided to reduce the six-feet social distancing requirement of six feet to three feet to facilitate an increase in the number of students being able to access onsite instruction in schools throughout the Territory. As I indicated then, this reduction has now made it possible for all primary school students to return to onsite instruction.

Mister Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to update this Honourable House on the progress made to date on the national mangrove replanting efforts to restore their extent throughout the Territory. 

Mister Speaker, I will now provide the status update on nine community centre repairs and upgrades throughout the Territory.

Mister Speaker I thank you for this opportunity, to provide this update. I am indeed very happy to report that the water leak has been located and repaired. 

The people of the Virgin Islands, these beautiful British Virgin Islands is home that God provided for us. We’ve always been proud of our beauty, but what about our cleanliness? Look around, what do you think about the way we have allowed ourselves to keep this lovely home that God has given us?

Mister Speaker my ministry continues to work towards having a continuous supply of potable water for the residents of these Virgin Islands.

Mister Speaker, the region of the Americas and the other Caribbean Islands and territories join the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and partners in celebrating the 19^th Annual Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) that this week began on April 24 and will end on April 30.