Mr Paul B. Dennis, KC, Jamaica’s Honourary Consul to the Virgin Islands (VI) (right) presented his credentials to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) on May 13, 2025. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

(L-R) Talking Points Co-host Elvin G. Grant, Violet Thomas-Gaul and guest Mr Paul B. Dennis, KC, Jamaica's Honourary Consul to the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook

Mr Dennis, who has lived and worked in the VI for over thirty years, was recently appointed Honourary Consul, and presented his credentials to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) on May 13, 2025. 

“It is timely for there to be the establishment of a consulate here, indeed, some would say it’s long overdue, having regard to the growing number of Jamaican nationals and the presence of Jamaicans in the BVI,” Mr Dennis said during Talking Points on Monday, May 19, 2025, on ZBVI 780 AM. 

While not yet having the actual figures as to how many Jamaicans are currently residing in the Territory, Mr Dennis said to get that information is a priority of his. 

“I know it runs in the thousands…Because there are Jamaicans from all walks of life so once I have a better sense of what the Jamaican population looks like, then will obviously allow me to better serve.”

He will meet the Association of Jamaican Residents in the BVI next Monday, and said this is among matters to be discussed. 

Mr Dennis also said he will visit the Statistics Department as well as Labour and Immigration in his search for data. 

Jamaicans in trouble can call on him

Co-host Violet Thomas-Gaul asked Mr Dennis if Jamaicans in the Virgin Islands could reach out to him for assistance should they encounter legal trouble.

“Absolutely, that is one of the areas where typically an embassy or high commission or consulate, or honourary consulate, in my case, would provide services because generally speaking, my office is there to assist Jamaicans in distress or in need.”

He explained that if a Jamaican “runs afoul of the law”, is incarcerated or needs assistance, he would be able to attend to the person. 

“[I would] try to get a sense of what is happening and assist them as best as I can whether that means trying to assist them in finding legal representation or in any other respects, communicating with family overseas or any other area in which being away from home and being in that kind of situation they would need assistance.”

Mr Dennis, as Jamaica’s Honourary Consul, will be operating from his chambers on the  2nd floor of the Commerce House Building on Main Street.