Madam Speaker, The Ministry of Communications and Works has embarked on an aggressive program to provide the residents of the Virgin Islands with a more reliable, sustainable and consistent potable water supply. We started with first assessing all existing water assets and resources, to develop a comprehensive action plan to achieve this goal. Currently there are a number of projects geared towards improving the potable water infrastructure in the Territory.

Madam Speaker, we are making significant progress with road rehabilitation work under the Caribbean Development Bank CDB Loan Funded Projects.

Madam Speaker, the objective set out by the Ministry of Communications and Works spearheaded by the Public Works Department, is to upgrade and improve the existing road network to allow for better use by Motorists and pedestrians. This ensures improved safety to international standards for all users and newly upgraded roads should have a lifespan for of 15 to 20 years.

Madam Speaker, the Phase V Power Development Project being undertaken by the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation BVIEC, is well underway and there is definitely more ‘light’ at the end of the tunnel.

It gives me great pleasure to deliver the 2016 State of the Environment Address.

Your Excellency the Governor, John S. Duncan, OBE, Distinguished Colleagues in the House of Assembly, Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, President of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Dr. Karl Dawson, Other Distinguished platform guests, 2016 Graduating Class, Faculty, Parents and well-wishers, Ladies and Gentlemen Good afternoon:

Your Excellency Governor John S. Duncan, OBE, Minister for Communications and Works and Representative for the Fourth District, Honourable Mark Vanterpool, Members of the House of Assembly, Permanent Secretaries, senior public officers, contractors, specially invited guests, media partners, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls this afternoon, we are moving!

I acknowledge the protocol already established.

Ladies and gentleman, distinguished guests

It gives me great pleasure to extend congratulations to the Premier and the Government on the occasion of the Official Opening of the New Queen Elizabeth II Park and Children’s Playground in this special year of Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday.

Madam Chair, Honourable Ministers and delegates,

It is my privilege to make this intervention today on behalf of Premier and Minister of Finance of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Dr. the Honourable. D. Orlando Smith, OBE. 

This week, two events will take place with the potential to impact the financial services of the BVI and I wish to speak today about how the Government is approaching these two matters.