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VI gets ready for Irma 1st Anniversary

-as Premier encourages Territory wide participation @ observance activities
VI gets ready for Irma 1st Anniversary. Photo: GIS
The public is also being encouraged to commemorate the day through community outreach programmes, social events or conducting activities at church, home, schools or places of business. Photo: GIS
The public is also being encouraged to commemorate the day through community outreach programmes, social events or conducting activities at church, home, schools or places of business. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Outgoing Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), is encouraging Territory wide participation in the observation of the 1st anniversary of Hurricane Irma.

The Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) will observe the occasion on Thursday, September 6, 2018, under the theme, ‘Service of Thanksgiving, Reflection and Restoration’.

According to a Government Information Service (GIS) press statement issued on Friday, August 24, 2018, the event “will be commemorated through a series of reflections through song, dance and remarks.”

Unparalleled Destruction

The release quotes Premier Smith saying, “…after the unparalleled destruction caused by Hurricane Irma, it is, ‟s important that we reflect on our progression and thank God for his mercies.”

He said, “…we recognise the ways in which Hurricane Irma affected the lives of everyone in our community and commemorating it cannot be done in a vacuum.”

According to Premier Smith, his government welcomes the opportunity to partner with the community in its plans to observe the historic day.

Future Vision

The public is also being encouraged to commemorate the day through community outreach programmes, social events or conducting activities at church, home, schools or places of business.

The vision for a future VI, “will be built around our most important resource: our people,” he said.

According to Premier Smith, “the resilience and faith instilled in our DNA by our ancestors has brought us through many challenges; our future vision will therefore be built around the lessons we have learned from our shared experiences immediately following Hurricane Irma.”

On September 6, 2017, Category-5 Hurricane, Irma, devastated the Territory resulting in significant damages exceeding the VI’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), causing widespread damage to the housing stock, road infrastructure, ports, telecommunications, electrical infrastructure and critical facilities.

Five lives were lost and 125 persons were also injured in the devastation.

10 Responses to “VI gets ready for Irma 1st Anniversary ”

  • One word (25/08/2018, 10:48) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    NICE!
  • Eagle Eye (25/08/2018, 11:49) Like (10) Dislike (18) Reply
    Thank which god for his mercies,were we shown any?you think we are thanking you for giving away 7.2 million like wise irmer.y'all better open y'all eyes and be real.
    • Stop Blaspheming (26/08/2018, 17:34) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
      @ Eagle Eye with a name like that you lack vision. We are not thanking any “god” for any mercies as it is Only our God above (capital G) who is merciful and to whom we are giving thanks and praise.

      Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.

      Let go of the devil and seek God’s Kingdom.
      • Eagle Eye (27/08/2018, 05:52) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
        Until u can prove where above is your god,common g.
        • @Eagle Eye (27/08/2018, 18:41) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
          We do not have a common g “God” above. Until you can prove why you’re breathing at this moment and blood flowing through your veins then take it to Father God in prayer and count your blessings. The devil has your mind and if you look at your life you will know who is to blame.
          • Eagle Eye (28/08/2018, 10:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
            I can see you are still in the dark believing there is a invisible man in the sky watching over us.do your research on how the name Jesus came about and u will learn some sense.
  • It is Not a Holiday (26/08/2018, 09:33) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some may be confused and think this means it’s a holiday when it is not a holiday
  • mercy (26/08/2018, 14:00) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Wow but instead he should call a day of repentance in the land. May God really have mercy on us!!!
  • Really (26/08/2018, 21:52) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    If we really want to do something appropriate, have a day when everyone goes out together to clean this mess up. Have some pride in this place. Learn from past mistakes. While the few do make an effort the many do nothing. Much of the debris lying around is recent which has come from people’s building sites. It is a disgrace. Every road has polystyrene food boxes and plastic water bottle so that people cannot be bothered to dispose of in a bin. What the hell is wrong with you? There are skips everywhere and bins all around towns. Great that some trucks are now being paid to remove large debris but they are dropping loads of rubbish also as they were not clever enough to put a tarp over the load. They are also driving like dangerous fools with impunity as they are likely paid per load. Come on people. Let’s get this place better.
  • Some just dont care (27/08/2018, 22:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Today, I witnessed a man get into his vehicle, turn on his aircondition, start to eat his lunch in an active parking lot. I was parked right next to him. On my return to get into my vehicle, I was greeted with the bones of whatever meat he was eating and there he was continuing to eat under aircondition. If he really cared about this place or keeping a clean parking lot, he would have kept the bones in a container. Clearly, he doesn't care about this place. People, please keep the BVI clean.


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