News
‘Public Debt’ is now 3 times higher than what’s left in the ‘Reserves’
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The National Democratic Party (NDP) government, is currently running a public debt that is three times more than what is left in the ‘Reserve Fund’ and to make matters worse, Revenue for 2018 is projected to fall below previous years.
Tourist Board eyes further taxes for Air B&B operators
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Virgin Islands Tourist Board has asked the Ministry of Finance to consider increasing its revenue take—in the already decimated tourism industry—by charging an ‘accommodation tax’ on Air Bed and Breakfast (B&B) operators in the Territory.
Riteway asks RVIPF for rental; Top Cop says no funds in 2018 budget
PASEA ESTATE, Tortola, VI - There is nothing in the proposed budget this year for rental for Police Headquarters, and the owners Riteway Supermarket at Pasea Estate have indicated that they are going to start charging for the space that is occupied by Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
No place for students to write examinations?
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Ministry of Education and Culture had found itself in a conundrum earlier this year finding accommodation for the students in the Territory, to sit overseas examinations.
Locals are shut out from DPP’s Office
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is looking to fill the gap in its human resources capacity but even as the agency looks to persons returning to the Territory to take up the post, the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee has learnt that the opportunity to hire at least two qualified locals recently had been squandered.
Gov't mulls law change to seize ‘abandoned’ marine vessels
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Virgin Islands (VI) government is actively considering amendments to the Disaster Management Act, to legally seize and take possession of marine vessels that are left abandoned across the Territory.
VI records abnormally high death rate last year
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Records confirm that the Virgin Islands (VI) last year experienced an abnormally high death rate across the Territory—157 for the year.
Budget restrictions limit Opposition Leader spending on ‘Peoples Work’
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Leader of the Opposition and First District Representative, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), says annual budgetary allocations for his Office do not allow for flexibility in its use and he has had to resort to expending personal funds in fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities—the ‘Peoples Work.’
2 day Debate of 2018 Budget starts April 26 to 27, 2018
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - After about two weeks of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) of the whole House of Assembly (HoA) that wrapped up late last week, Parliamentarians are ready to debate the 2018 Appropriation Bill.
Standing Finance Committee continues at HoA Chambers
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee continues at the Chambers in Road Town, Tortola which began last week. It is also the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Third House of Assembly.