A Customer Service Care Centre has been officially opened on Virgin Gorda on July 24, 2025, almost eliminating the need to travel to Tortola to access government services. Photo: Facebook

Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs Sharleen S. Dabreo-Lettsome said the new Customer Care Service Centre on Virgin Gorda is a promise kept to the people of Virgin Gorda. Photo: Facebook

The Customer Care Service Centre on Virgin Gorda is located at the Vanterpool Administration Building. Photo: GIS

The Customer Service Care Centre is located at the Vanterpool Administration Building in Valley, Virgin Gorda. It is the second Customer Service Care Centre to be opened in the Territory; the first was opened on Tortola in 2020. 

Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs Sharleen S. Dabreo-Lettsome, said that about a year ago, a promise was made to the people of Virgin Gorda for this centre. 

“Today marks an important milestone in our ongoing mission to deliver service that is responsive, people-centred, and committed to nothing but excellence,” she said during the official launching ceremony on July 24, 2025. 

The Virgin Gorda Customer Service Care Centre, she added, is not just a new facility, but a bold step forward in how the people of the Virgin Islands, especially residents on Virgin Gorda and across the Sister Islands, are served. 

A renewed commitment from VI Public Service

Mrs Dabreo-Lettsome said that while improving service delivery and strengthening public trust are often spoken about, meaningful transformation is not just about policies and plans. 

“It is about action, it is about us proving to you that we hear you and we understand your needs. It’s about infrastructure, accessibility, and most of all, it’s about the people of the Virgin Islands. With this centre, we are bringing services closer to the community, we are enhancing the quality of care, and we are reaffirming our promise to meet the needs of every citizen promptly, professionally, and with compassion.”

The Permanent Secretary added that this initiative reflects the vision of a modern, connected public service; one that listens, one that adapts, and one that delivers.

“Let us view today not just as a launch but as a renewed commitment from us to raise standards, to close service gaps, and to ensure that no matter where you live in the British Virgin Islands, you can have access to efficient, respectful, and reliable services from the BVI Public Service.”

She promised that the next step in improving service delivery across the Territory is the opening of a similar centre in Jost van Dyke and then Anegada. 

“We’re going to have a customer service centre on every island, I promise you.”

Time for this has long passed- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley 

Meanwhile, District Nine Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley expressed pleasure for this new customer care centre on Virgin Gorda, adding that the time for this had “long passed”.

“What you have done today, you’ve narrowed that gap down to where the only thing we really have to go for now is to collect a cheque, but the PS has assured me that before this year is out, you’ll be collecting your cheques right here.”

He said travelling to Tortola to access government services can be expensive and time-consuming. 

Hon Wheatley said that soon all government services will be accessed on Virgin Gorda. 

“So what we are seeing today is the launch of that initiative, the Customer Service Care Centre.”