Hello Virgin Islands, I am Marlon Penn… Jr. Minister for Trade Investment Promotions and Consumer Affairs and your Representative for the Eighth District.

Citizens and residents of the Virgin Islands, I am Myron V. Walwyn, Minister for Education and Culture and your Territorial Representative. It is indeed a pleasure for me to wish the entire Virgin Islands – residents and visitors alike - a safe and joyous holiday season. As we remember the love of God this Christmas, I encourage us all to draw from his many examples of selflessness, sacrifice and mercy. 

2017 will go down in the history of the Virgin Islands as being a most memorable year.

Greetings, I am Dr. Kedrick Pickering, Deputy Premier, Representative for the Seventh Electoral District and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour of the Government of the Virgin Islands. 

Merry Christmas Virgin Islands. As we come together with family, loved ones and friends, let us reflect on the many blessings God has bestowed upon us, despite a very challenging year.

Dear All,

Christmas is a celebration! 

I thought hard about those first four words.  I paused because it may be difficult for some of us, after the events of the last few months to see this Christmas as a time for celebration.   

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for gathering here today to witness what is indeed a historical event in the advancement of both the National Bank of the Virgin Islands and the BVI Social Security Board. 

As you are all well aware, a curfew has been in place across the Virgin Islands since the passage of Hurricane Irma in September.   Since the Curfew was first imposed between the hours of 1800 and 0600, the National Security Council and Cabinet have kept the need for a curfew and its hours under constant review, working with the advice and the guidance of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).  This has seen a gradual reduction in its hours.

Madame Speaker, immediately following the passage of Hurricane Irma, on September 11 I held a meeting with the Territory’s insurance providers and one with the Territory’s banks at the NEOC, which was at the hospital at that time. In that meeting, insurance companies assured the Government that they are ready to address claims and I was surprised that two companies had already started their claims process during those very uncertain days.   I also received assurances that their re-insurers were prepared to pay out claims. 

Madame Speaker, I am pleased to provide this update to this Honourable House on the progress of the Territory’s recovery from the devastations of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.