Honourable Premier, Your Ladyship Honourable Madame Justice Ellis, Honourable Deputy Premier, Honourable Ministers, Madame Deputy Governor, Honourable Leader of the Opposition, other Honourable Members of the House of Assembly, Members of the Clergy, distinguished guests – good morning.

Your Excellency the Governor Augustus Jaspert, Mrs. Jaspert, Oscar and Tobias; Honourable Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly, Deputy Governor, Ladies and Gentleman, good morning:

My fellow Virgin Islanders and residents of this Territory: This morning, I had the opportunity to visit different areas in Tortola as we, as a Territory, continue our recovery efforts.

My fellow Virgin Islanders, residents, friends, regular visitors and those who are here for the first time, a festive welcome to our 2017 Emancipation Celebration.

Citizens and residents of the Virgin Islands:

Earlier this afternoon, the Leader of the Opposition brought a Motion of No Confidence against the Minister of Finance, which failed to garner support from any other member of the House of Assembly. 

The Government of the Virgin Islands recognising the need to improve airlift into the Territory for our visitors and residents alike, entered into an agreement with BVI Airways to provide the company with $7 million to operate direct flights between Miami and the British Virgin Islands.

There are milestones in the development of any country,and there are turning points that determine the destiny of a place under shifting circumstances.

My fellow Virgin Islanders, residents and visitors, as you are all aware, on Wednesday July 12 into the early hours of Thursday, July 13, the Territory was impacted by a strong tropical wave which resulted in heavy rainfall, flooding of some roadways and landslides along some slopes. 

My Fellow citizens and residents of the Virgin Islands,

I come before you today at the mid-way point of this Government’s term.

I want to take this moment to update you on the progress we have achieved toward fulfilling the promises and commitments we made when you entrusted us to lead.

Welcome to the official launch of Festival 2017. The Virgin Islands will commemorate 63 years of Emancipation Celebrations under the theme “A Colourful Kaleidoscope to be seen, Creating a Cultural Scene for Festival 2017”.