Scenes from Commonwealth Day 2015 celebrated on Monday, March 11 where the Office of the Deputy Governor hosted the Territory’s inaugural celebration for the Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth Initiative. Ten year old Jaleel Cameron hoisted the Commonwealth Flag and raised over $1000 at the ceremony to donate to the Children’s Unit at the new Peebles Hospital.  To date, he has raised over $6,000 which he plans to present to the hospital by the end of this month. 

Premier of the British Virgin Islands and Chairman of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA), Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE is pictured here during courtesy visits from Prime Minister Honourable Marcel Gumbs of St. Maarten; (left) and Prime Minister of Curaçao, Honourable Ivar Asjes on Tuesday February 24, 2015. 

Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark Vanterpool led a team of Government officials, on a tour of the cruise pier development site on Tuesday, January 20. The members of the team were Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie Skelton, District 6 Representative Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines, District 8 Representative Honourable Marlon Penn and House of Assembly Member Honourable Archibald Christian.

Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark Vanterpool accompanied by Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Works Anthony McMaster, Assistant Secretary for Ministry of Education and Culture Brenda Tye-Lettsome, City Manager Janice Braithwaite-Edwards and others visited the project site at the old Her Majesty’s Prison Building on Main Street where restorative work is underway to transform the building into a prison museum.  The tour was conducted by Project Manager Captain Hugh Whistler.

Workers from the Public Works Department worked during the overnight hours on the evenings of Tuesday, January 6 and Wednesday, January 7 and paved the damaged sections of Walter James Francis Drive with asphalt.  Works are expected to continue into next week.  Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark Vanterpool was onsite and he commended the workers on their skill in operating the new heavy equipment.  He said, “I am pleased that the works seem to be going smoothly tonight and I look forward to the competition of the rehabilitated road here in Road Town.

The Social Development Department reinforced the holiday spirit by putting the youth in the forefront of this year’s Clash of the Carolers. Several schools participated, including St. Georges, Pelican Gate, Seventh Day Adventist, Joyce Samuel Primary, Enis Adams Primary and Althea Scatliffe Primary. Among other performances were Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Project ‘X’ from Her Majesty’s Prison and poetry by Ms. Janice Stoutt. Mr. Linton Leonard and Mrs. Karia Christopher emceed the event. (Photo Credit: Ronnielle Frazer/GIS)

The Office of Gender Affairs concluded the 16 Days of Activism under the theme, “Peace at home, Peace in the world” on International Human Rights Day. Several schools, churches, families, youth organisations, public servants along with Miss BVI 2014 Jaynene Jno Lewis marched in observance of Human Right’s Day and against violence. Preceding the march, several balloons were released in honour of persons who lost their lives to violence followed by the Celebration of Life Concert which celebration those who won the fight against violence.

Works on the Blackburn Highway in East End are swiftly moving forward with road paving works.  Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark Vanterpool said, “The workers at the Public Works Department are working diligently to complete the road from the bridge to the Parham Town junction.  I am pleased to see the new asphalt plant doing the job it is supposed to in record time and I look forward to this road being completed very soon.”  Minister Vanterpool continued, “This will be an excellent gift for the East End people and I really would like to

The Government of the Virgin Islands ushered in the dawn of a new era in healthcare delivery, with the official opening and dedication of the New Peebles Hospital on December 17 at the Hospital Grounds. Several Government officials gave remarks including, His Excellency the Governor John Duncan, Honourable Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W.

There were smiles of anticipation and excitement as the Premier’s Office, in collaboration with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) delivered Christmas gifts to a number of the Territory’s children during the annual Holiday Gift Project party on Thursday December 4. Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering delivered remarks on behalf of Premier and Minister of Tourism, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith OBE.