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Legislation for new HoA to focus on improving standard of living in VI

- Theme for Throne Speech is Positioning the Virgin Islands through legislation to continue improving the standard of living of our people
The Speech from the Throne, which highlights the legislative agenda of the Government of the Virgin Islands in addressing the needs of the public during the upcoming Session of the House of Assembly, was delivered under the theme ‘Positioning the Virgin Islands through legislation to continue improving the standard of living of our people’. Photo: VINO/File
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, delivered the Speech from the Throne at the First Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, today, Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Photo: YouTube
Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, delivered the Speech from the Throne at the First Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, today, Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Photo: YouTube
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Another busy session of the House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands has been mapped out by the Government of the Virgin Islands, according to revelations from the Speech from the Throne delivered by Governor John J. Rankin, CMG.

Mr Rankin delivered the Speech at the First Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, today, Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

‘Improving standard of living’

The Speech from the Throne, which highlights the legislative agenda of the Government of the Virgin Islands in addressing the needs of the public during the upcoming Session of the House of Assembly, was delivered under the theme ‘Positioning the Virgin Islands through legislation to continue improving the standard of living of our people’.

According to Governor Rankin, the theme is aligned with the direction and goals of the elected Government's 2022 Budget under the theme “strategically positioning New Industries with Sustainability and Innovation: Continuing to improve the standard of living with focus on Education, Small Business, Healthcare and Technology.

“This theme is aligned with the Government’s strategic vision To Transform the Virgin Islands into a Leading Regional Economy through Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Local and Foreign Investment, which was enunciated some time ago.”

43 pieces of legislation passed @ last HoA

The theme for the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly, which concluded last year, was: Driving BVI Innovation through Legislation.

It was noted by Governor Rankin that the last House held 13 Sittings in 2021 and considered and approved 43 pieces of legislation, “reflecting the considerable amount of work done by the Legislature in the past year in fulfilling the mandate in the previous Speeches from the Throne.”

Among the pieces of legislation passed were the Integrity in Public Life Act 2021; the Whistle blower Act 2021; two Amendments to the Beneficial Ownership Secure Search System Act; Counter-Terrorism Act 2021; Criminal Justice (International Cooperation) (Amendment) Act 2021; the Contractor General Act 2021; Virgin Islands Air and Sea Ports Act 2021; Virgin Islands Investment Act 2021; Data Protection Act 2021; Electronic Transfer of Funds Act 2021; Cruising and Home Port Permit Act 2021, and the Economic Substance (Companies and Limited Partnership) (Amendment) Act 2021.

More on the Speech from the Throne 2022 to follow.

7 Responses to “Legislation for new HoA to focus on improving standard of living in VI”

  • ... (18/01/2022, 13:25) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe raise the minimum wage a tad ,if it's not too much trouble? can sure help the poor man out!
    • BVI USA (18/01/2022, 14:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Should be raised at the rate of BVI inflation, minimum. What is BVI inflation rate? USA's for 2021 is 6% according to ABC newsman. So if the USA workers get less than 6% raise in 2022, they are in the hole - more expenses & less income!
    • Smh (18/01/2022, 20:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Raising minimum wage is meaningless if there isn’t some way to control inflation in territory. The cost of living is wayyyy to high and increases tremendously every time the minimum wage goes up. The people that can benefit from a minimum wage increase will never reap the benefits. It’s a terrible cycle that holds many of us hostage.
  • akon (18/01/2022, 14:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The same way the powers that be can make and distribute poizonous vaccines internationally for everyone. Same way a million can be distribute to every human on earth causing and instant improvement in every mans life.
  • Smmsshhh (18/01/2022, 15:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fix the roads , rage minimum wages.
  • TruDat! (18/01/2022, 17:22) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sustainable, affordable electricity. Functioning water and sewage systems. Mandatory living wage. Affordable high-speed internet access. Properly maintained transportation systems. Let's start with a few basics and see how it goes.
  • .... (18/01/2022, 17:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Legalize cannabis and let the people grow it at home like in the states 12 plant limit Michigan or Trinidad whatever their limit is do the research. $20 a gram at any bar how’s that for quality of life when many have become addicted to tobacco mixed spliffs because the weed is expensive.

    We can talk about raising quality of life but when will we do it? It’s actually a shame we had to have a pandemic set back to get business stimulus when that amount of money is wasted every year.

    Kudos to him but why should people have to go to Richard Branson for their business goals when government is supposed to be for the people.


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