Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Premier Smith on the plane again; heading to CARICOM meeting

-Deputy Premier Pickering is the Boss
Premier Dr D Orlando Smith will be out of the Territory from July 3-7, 2018 to attend the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Jamaica.
The Caricom Meeting is being held in Jamaica. Photo: Caricom.org
The Caricom Meeting is being held in Jamaica. Photo: Caricom.org
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI: Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) is away from the Territory attending the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Jamaica from July 3 to 7, 2018.

According to a Government Information Services (GIS) statement, “Premier Smith and other Heads of Government will deliberate on matters of importance to the Caribbean Community including strategies focused on building resilience in disaster management and recovery, crime and security in the Region, among other areas.”

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has 15 member states and five associate members. The Virgin Islands (VI) is an associate member, not having signed on to many of the provisions that calls for integration and free movement of people.

 Smith does not support visa for all CARICOM

It was on Thursday, June 21, 2018, that Premier Smith announced at a press conference that Government intends to implement a 'visa-free' policy, for Chinese nationals wishing to visit the Territory.

Premier Smith who is winding down his political career, came under heavy fire from residents, civil society and the media  after he has not pushed for the same courtesy for four Caribbean countries, namely Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Guyana—all  members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Under the Treaty of Chaguaramus establishing CARICOM—of which the VI is an Associate Member—nationals are granted an automatic six months stay upon entry, visa-free.

The Premier is accompanied by Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms. Najan Christopher, and while he is away, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) will act as Premier in accordance with Section 55 (2) of the VI Constitution Order, 2007.

 

8 Responses to “Premier Smith on the plane again; heading to CARICOM meeting”

  • ... (03/07/2018, 19:52) Like (12) Dislike (10) Reply
    Hope they chase him out
  • Birdy (03/07/2018, 20:19) Like (22) Dislike (9) Reply
    Dis man on every plane except 7 mil
  • kentucky fried (04/07/2018, 11:15) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    jerk that chicken!
  • Zadok (04/07/2018, 13:12) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Wonder what spin he will bring back for this Territory deal with this time.
  • please (04/07/2018, 19:53) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    No one in the Caribbean wants to give citizens from those four aforementioned countries free reign in their country and we all know why. The VI is no different but somehow we’re the ones who get labeled with stigma. Just the other day Barbados deported a whole heap of Jamaicans, the Bajan people were not outraged and the Jamaicans left in Barbados had to shut up and accept it because they know their place. Yet still foreigners come here and expect to treat the place like their playground as if we have no laws and standards.

    The VI should have the right to dictate who can enter the territory and for how long can they stay, just like any other place in the world.
  • wize up (04/07/2018, 21:23) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    some of us acting like smith is the first leader of government that travelled in and out of this territory(News Flash!!! chief ministers & Premiers have been doing so for many years)


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.