The Audit report into Public Assistance Grants made between January 2019 and May 2022 was carried out in accordance with Recommendation B12 of the Commission of Inquiry Report, and was received by myself and the Premier on 30th December. 

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley has said that the people of the Virgin Islands are at the heart of the National Sustainable Development Plan that is to be launched next week.

The Commission of Inquiry Implementation Unit is advising the public that it has reported to the Governor and Premier on the status of work completed up to the end of January 2023.

Good afternoon to the people of the Virgin Islands and I apologise for the delay.

Deputy Governor, Mr. David Archer, Jr. will act in the Office of Governor from February 18 to 26 in the absence of His Excellency the Governor, Mr. John J. Rankin CMG who will be out of the Territory.

Today I am pleased to share with you my second Quarterly Review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report. This is a key mechanism for monitoring progress. As of the end of December, fifteen of forty-eight recommendations had been completed. In January, we saw further progress, including the receipt of various reviews and audits.

Madam Speaker, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has demonstrated its continued commitment to complying with evolving international standards on transparency and the fight against financial crime, with a set of new legislative changes that came into force on 1st January 2023.

The public is informed that the Governor’s Office will temporarily close for a staff event from 1:00 p.m. on February 3 and will resume regular office hours on Monday February 6.

Madam Speaker, thank you for another opportunity to update this Honourable House on the progress being made with the implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report.