His Excellency the Governor, Mr. John Rankin CMG acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, has prorogued the House of Assembly effective Friday, December 30 until such a time a new session is appointed.

The 2023 Budget was passed at the Ninth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly to the tune of $412,971,110. This will comprise of $340,872,400 for recurrent expenditure; $49,428,600 for capital expenditure; $7,148,810 in contribution to various statutory funds; and $15,521,300 towards repayment of the principal on our debt.

Pictured are Members of the Virgin Islands Youth Parliament (VIYP) Mr. Stephon Mactavious and Ms. Donyelle Hodge and Chairman of the VIYP Honourable Sharie B. de Castro attending the formal opening of the 11^th Commonwealth Youth Parliament today 21 November, 2022.

Chairman of the Virgin Islands Youth Parliament (VIYP) Honourable Sharie B. de Castro will lead a two member team to the 11th Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP) to be held in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from November 20 to 24.

Madam Speaker, over the weekend, I made an announcement pertaining to the change in some of the requirements for foreign based charter vessels.

On the invitation of the United Kingdom  Speaker in the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, young persons from across the Overseas Territories were invited to attend a special segment of the UK Youth Parliament sitting on November 4^th, 2022.

Madame Speaker, I am pleased to share recent advancements in ensuring greater awareness of the availability of lands for first-time land and property owners, as well as those who are seeking to increase their stake in the economic and social development of our beautiful islands. 

As most of us should be aware, the Waste Water Treatment Plant at Burt Point suffered substantial damage during the passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017 and was eventually inoperable at a later point thereafter.

Madam Speaker, I wish to report to this Honourable House on two recent initiatives aimed at improving trade and commerce within the region, and which I was fortunate to be a part of, representing the Virgin Islands.

Madame Speaker, 21 October is a significant day in the Virgin Islands.

On that day, 50 years ago in 1972, the first observance of BVI/USVI (British Virgin Islands/United States Virgin Islands) Friendship Day was held here, specifically on Tortola.