My fellow residents of the Virgin Islands, we have just passed the five month marker of the catastrophic hurricanes Irma and Maria and I thought it important that we update ourselves as to where we are with our recovery process and offer hope and encouragement for a stronger, more resilient and brighter future.  I also take this opportunity to clear the air on significant misinformation about the role of your Government during this challenging period.

Officers of the Department of Customs, BVI Ports Authority, Environment Health, National Parks Trust, Conservation and Fisheries and the Agriculture Quarantine staff are participating in a one-week training on Biosecurity and Port Protection from February 19 to 23.  

Upgrades to the National Sewerage Infrastructure are among the plans for this year to be undertaken by the Water and Sewerage Department.

Acting Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Mr. Kelvin Penn has confirmed that following the results of a completed study the Cane Garden Bay beach is re-opened for swimming and related recreational activities.

The staff of the Housing Recovery Assistance Programme is featured providing assistance to residents in need of housing support to rebuild their residential properties.

General Manager for the BVIEC, Mr. Leroy Abraham has said that restoration of electricity on Tortola is about 98 percent complete.

The Ministry of Communications and Works and the Department of Disaster Management are working towards safeguarding the city against floods and continue to educate the public on minimizing its risk.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to address an important issue—Immigration.

Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming and thank you Premier for your statement. I wholeheartedly welcome your announcement on the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) and applaud the leadership you and your Cabinet have shown in establishing it. I would also like to join the Premier in his thanks to Dr. Mathavious for agreeing to be Chairman of the Board.

Foreign and Commonwealth Permanent Under-Secretary (PUS), Sir Simon McDonald is featured with Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE and Cabinet Ministers as part of his first visit to the Territory.