News
Jury Act an ongoing travesty of justice- R. Dancia Penn-Sallah QC
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- “There is an ongoing travesty of justice in this country, and it is that of the jury system. The Jury Act of 1914 is contrary to the rule of law; it is a violation of the constitution and all principles of democracy that we still have that Jury Act on our books. I speak for the profession when I make a call for a very urgent rectification of that.”
Legalise 'parimutuel wagering' or risk losing support of USVI horse owners- Lesmore Smith
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association is urging the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government to urgently bring legislation to the House of Assembly (HoA) to legalise betting at horse races locally or risk losing the sport to sister territory United States Virgin Islands (USVI).
Beware of the ‘demon’ this Xmas season – CoP Michael B. Matthews
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With road accidents being recorded daily by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews has commented there are “far too many road accidents” and appealed to drivers to be extra cautious especially during the holidays when much drinking takes place.
Gov't to introduce AirBnB Tax legislation
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Following an April 30, 2019, Cabinet decision where property owners who lease their homes through AirBnB, are now required to pay hotel accommodation tax in the Virgin Islands (VI), Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert says new AirBnB Tax legislation will soon be introduced.
Stiffer penalties for cybercriminals in the VI - Premier Fahie
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – During the second reading of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Amendment Act 2019, on August 1, 2019, at the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the new legislation brings proposals for stiffer penalties with regards to the protection of minors in the territory and the protection of user data.
Legislation coming to ban Styrofoam & single-use plastics- Hon Malone
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Legislation to ban polystyrene foam (PSF), which is commonly known as Styrofoam, and single-use plastics in the Virgin Islands will soon be brought to the House of Assembly (HoA).
HoA to resume Tuesday July 24, 2018; Many Bills but no public input
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The House of Assembly (HoA) will resume its sitting on Tuesday July 24, 2018. The Parliament last met on Thursday July 19, 2018 where it was rough for Government Ministers, as they struggled to answer many of the questions truthfully, at times holding back information.
Minimum wage goes up to $10.50 on June 1, 2018 in USVI
VI CONSORTIUM
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- The US Virgin Islands (USVI) minimum wage is set to see its final phased increase to $10.50 per hour as part of a bill ratified by the 32nd Legislature and signed into law by Governor Kenneth E. Mapp.
Legislation on accountability will be worked on closer to elections- Hon Fahie
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Members of the opposition and residents alike have been calling for the National Democratic Party (NDP) government to be transparent and accountable, not only with the territory’s finances but in everything. In the Speech from the Throne, read in the First Sitting of the Third session of the Third House of Assembly on March 1, 2018, legislation to do just that were listed in the plans for the session.
Churches are the next target- 2018 Speech from Throne; Did anyone listen?
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The average resident is now preoccupied with getting a roof over his heads, a job, and crime overwhelming the Virgin Islands (VI).