The official funeral of former legislator, Mr. Omar Wallace Hodge, affectionately known as “The People’s Man”, will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2018.

A procession will leave from the vicinity of LJD VI Block at 9:00 a.m. along the Blackburn Highway and proceed east to the New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre in Baugher’s Bay.

A pre-service is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. with the funeral service following at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Johnson’s Ghut Cemetery. Official flags will be flown in the Territory at half-mast on January 17 and 18 at all Government buildings.

The body will lie in state at the House of Assembly Building from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. During this time, the public will have an opportunity to pay their last respects between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The former legislator died at his home on December 20 at the age of 75. He was first elected to the Legislative Council in 1979 and served for 32 years consecutively.

He was the Deputy Chief Minister from 1986 to 1998 and Deputy Speaker from 1979 to 1983. He also held the two titles of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour from 1986 to 1988 and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, Honourble Hodge served as the representative for the Sixth District from 1979 to 2011.

His ministerial achievements include:

1. The acquisition of the Baths, Virgin Gorda

2. The settlement of the Anegada lands

3. Disbursement of lands at Horse Path

4. Bringing unleaded fuel to the British Virgin Islands via Delta Petroleum

5. The first in-house gymnasium/basketball court in the British Virgin Islands at Belle Vue

6. The Baughers Bay Marina Development

7. The launching of the new Labour Code

8. As well as all the fundamental infrastructural works carried out in the 6th Electoral District during his tenure

   The Government of the Virgin Islands joins the family and friends of the late Honourable Omar W. Hodge in mourning the passing of one of the most highly regarded and influential sons of the Territory.