The House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands is seeking a qualified individual to fill the vacancy of Chairperson for the Parliamentary Commission for Standards. The Commission’s role is to uphold high standards of conduct among members of the House of Assembly, investigate complaints, and advise on relevant procedures. Applicants must be senior legal professionals, such as a retired judge or attorney, with at least 15 years of experience. The role requires high integrity, impartiality, and sound judgment. Applications, including a cover letter, resume, references, and a police certificate, must be submitted by April 22, 2025.
The Virgin Islands has begun installing high-capacity water meters at 11 reservoirs as part of the Water Optimisation Programme, running from May 27 to June 25, 2025. Led by the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency, the project will improve water monitoring, leak detection, and resource management, helping to ensure a more efficient and sustainable water supply. The $281,412.82 contract was awarded to Control Technologies Barbados Limited. This initiative supports national goals for resilient infrastructure and reliable water access.
The 4th Commons and Overseas Territories Speakers’ Conference (COTSC) was held in London from May 13–16, 2025, hosted by UK House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Delegates included Speakers and Clerks from several UK Overseas Territories, including The Virgin Islands, represented by Speaker Hon. Corine N. George-Massicote and Deputy Clerk Mr. Linton V. Leonard. Hon. George-Massicote delivered a keynote on “Keeping Democracy Running,” emphasizing the importance of robust security measures to safeguard parliamentary operations from physical and cyber threats. Her presentation outlined ten key protective security strategies and was endorsed by UK House of Commons security experts. The conference also featured a royal audience with His Majesty King Charles III, Patron of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The event reinforced the House of Assembly’s commitment to democratic governance, security, and international parliamentary collaboration.
The Virgin Islands has begun installing large-flow, high-capacity water meters at 11 reservoirs as part of a major step toward sustainable water management. Starting May 27, 2025, and expected to finish by June 25, 2025, these smart meters will enable the Water and Sewerage Department to precisely measure water inflows and outflows, improve contract management, forecasting, and resource allocation, and help detect leaks to minimize water loss. This initiative, overseen by the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) on behalf of the Ministry of Communications and Works, is part of the broader Water Optimization Programme aimed at creating a more efficient, reliable, and resilient water infrastructure. The project supports national development goals and follows earlier efforts such as leak detection training for local plumbers. Residents are advised to monitor official channels for updates on any water service interruptions during installation.
The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), in support of the Office of the Deputy Governor, has executed a contract for demolition services at Estate House No. 2, formerly the Chief Minister’s residence, marking a key milestone in the ongoing revitalisation of the Government’s public estate.
On June 3, 2025, Minister Sharie B. de Castro delivered a statement on recent developments at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), highlighting progress in enrollment trends, programme expansion, and institutional effectiveness. Key updates included a rise in part-time and male student enrolment, growth in technical and marine studies, continued success of the Dual-Enrolment and CAPE programmes, and the start of preparations for HLSCC’s 2028 accreditation renewal. With $900,000 in additional government support, the College also implemented a new salary structure following an Ernst & Young compensation review, increasing faculty starting salaries by 35%. Additionally, HLSCC is exploring four-year degree-granting status, beginning with a bachelor’s in education. These efforts affirm HLSCC’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible education and align with national development goals as the institution celebrates its 35th anniversary.
Good afternoon everybody, it’s good to see colleagues here in the room and good afternoon everyone who is joining us online. I wanted to take this opportunity update everyone on security matters, including the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the prison, HMP Balsam Ghut. As Mr Adams said, as usual, after my opening remarks I’m very happy to take questions.
The Government of the Virgin Islands is seeking qualified persons to fill several positions on the Gaming and Betting (Gambling) Control Commission.
As Governor of these Virgin Islands, I am pleased to be here today to perform my constitutional responsibilities on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III in delivering the Speech from the Throne. The Speech from the Throne is a tradition in the Commonwealth and Overseas Territories. It is written by the Government and delivered by the Head of State, or his or her Representative. The Speech from the Throne signals the opening of a new Session of the Legislature and previews the legislative agenda and major policies of the elected Government, as it seeks to achieve its objectives and responsibilities to the people during the upcoming Session of the House of Assembly.
The Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation (MFSEDDT) presented at the first Virgin Islands Anti-Crime Summit, outlining efforts by Immigration, Trade, and Labour to combat crime. Key issues highlighted included irregular migration, identity fraud, and exploitation of legal entry routes (Immigration), misuse of businesses for money laundering, unlicensed operations, and false information (Trade), and worker exploitation through trafficking, abuse, and fraud (Labour). The Ministry pledged zero tolerance for corruption, trafficking, and illegal activity, committing to collaboration, enforcement, and public awareness to ensure migration, labour, and trade systems remain fair, transparent, and secure.