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Press Release From Independent Source

Eight Citizens Registered And 43 Naturalised At Joint Ceremony

Group photo showing newly naturalised citizens and newly registered British citizens. Photo:GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Eight persons were registered as British Citizens and 43 received certificates of naturalisation as British Overseas Territory Citizens at a joint Naturalisation and British Citizenship ceremony held at Government House last week.

His Excellency the Governor Mr. Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO delivering brief remarks at the ceremony after he distributed the certificates and congratulated the recipients shared, “This is a highly enriching process, from which both you as individuals and the BVI as a Territory gain.  It has to be achieved within a clear set of rules and procedures.  But, when properly managed, the controlled intermingling of cultures, ways of thinking, knowledge and skills, brings very clear and tangible benefits and rewards.”

“As upright citizens you will need little reminding of the absolute prerogative to maintain cohesion in our society and the contribution we can each make.  A society which does not share essential values and allegiances will suffer,” His Excellency said.

He added, “All of you will of course already have demonstrated a commitment to the Territory over many years in diverse and varied fields of activity, reflecting the BVI’s own rich and developing economy.  But it would be wrong to let this occasion pass without stressing the importance of your commitment to the BVI, now reinforced with the acquisition of nationality.”

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE delivering congratulatory remarks said, “These benefits and privileges are being opened to you along with this step of becoming a British Overseas Territories Citizen.  I impress upon you to continue to be law abiding citizens, not only in the Territory but also wherever you travel.  I encourage you to adhere to the law, maintain excellent deportment and be good ambassadors for the beautiful Virgin Islands at all times.”

The Premier added, “You represent various cultures and nationalities so we encourage you to continue your involvement in church, the community, cultural events or volunteer programmes.  The Government need you to help build a better Virgin Islands and we thank you for all your collective contributions over the years.”

Mrs. Stephanie Benn chaired the ceremony and in her remarks stressed the importance of giving back.  She said, “All of you have been granted permission to live in the Virgin Islands, and now, some of you are about to receive citizenship from the Virgin Islands and others citizenship from the United Kingdom.  For the most part, all of you have received many benefits from the Virgin Islands...It is now your turn to give back to this country that you call home.  Remember, there is joy in giving; you have been blessed.  Be a blessing to this country that you love, as you stated when you affirmed your Pledge of Loyalty and your Oath of Allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen.”

Following the presentation of certificates, the new citizens took an Oath of allegiance to the Queen and Pledge of Loyalty to the Virgin Islands.

The event was witnessed by Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs. Helen Seymour, Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. Dennis Jennings, Chairman of the Board of Immigration, Pastor Michael Anthony, Senior Officers in the Civil Registry and Passport Office and family and well wishers of the recipients.

Naturalisation is a process under the British Nationality Act of 1981 and the Virgin Islands Constitution Order of 2007 by which persons can become citizens of the Virgin Islands while as a result of the British Overseas Territories (BOT) Act of 2002, British citizenship was extended to all BOT citizens. Persons naturalised as BOT citizens following the enactment of the Act on May 21, 2002, do not automatically become British citizens but are eligible to register as British citizens.

The extension of British citizenship to BOT citizens was part of the United Kingdom Government’s 1999 White Paper entitled Partnership for Progress and Prosperity, which outlined UK policy in respect of the overseas territories.

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