Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

'Our mission remains clear, to build a resilient nation'- Premier Wheatley

- apprises residents on 2024 gains, outlines 2025 agenda in 2nd Territorial Address
Commending the Virgin Islands’ progress over the past year as a testament to resilience and innovation, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said his Government's mission remains clear: To build a resilient nation. Photo: GIS
Some of the persons in attendance at the Territorial Address of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) at Maria's by the Sea on May 20, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Some of the persons in attendance at the Territorial Address of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) at Maria's by the Sea on May 20, 2025. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— Commending the Virgin Islands’ progress over the past year as a testament to resilience and innovation, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), in his second Territorial Address, said, “This is not merely a report of figures and initiatives.”

According to Dr Wheatley, “It is a testament to the spirit and determination of the people of the Virgin Islands and a commitment to building a sustainable nation.”

Inclusive Development

He was at the time providing the Territorial update on May 20, 2025,  and outlined an ambitious vision for the continued transformation of the Virgin Islands, framing the coming year under the theme “Laying the Blocks of Success.”

Reflecting on the administration’s path thus far, however, Premier Wheatley noted that while 2024 was defined by “Planning, Priorities and Progress,” 2025 signals the practical implementation phase—“Laying the Blocks of Success.”

To this end, he asserted that the Government’s focus remains centred on sustainable, inclusive development that empowers all Virgin Islanders.

“Our story has been one of challenges met with ingenuity, and opportunities seized with vision; The same vision the late H. Lavity Stoutt admonished us to pursue. A vision where each succeeding generation moves the Territory closer to realising its full potential.”

According to Dr Wheatley, “Our mission remains clear: to build a resilient nation—where progress is sustainable, development is inclusive, and every Virgin Islander thrives.”

Closely Aligned

He said, “The state of the economy affects all sectors, the viability of businesses, residents’ ability to secure employment, the affordability of goods and services, and the Government’s ability to deliver on its obligations to the citizenry.”

As such, “We will explore the tangible progress made in strengthening and diversifying our economy, including bolstering our vital tourism sector and advancing our financial services.”

Dr Wheatley was adamant, human capital is central to the Territory’s development and pledged continued investments in education, innovation, and public health.

He told those in attendance, “We are empowering our youth through innovation and technology-driven learning, ensuring a healthy population and supporting our most vulnerable.”

These efforts, he said, are not in isolation but closely aligned with the broader goals articulated in the 2025 Budget Address and the Throne Speech.

9 Responses to “'Our mission remains clear, to build a resilient nation'- Premier Wheatley ”

  • Really? (22/05/2025, 14:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can you build a resilient nation on $7.25 an hour these days? Cut your wages to that and let's see what you manage to build!
  • stop (22/05/2025, 15:13) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We cannot build if you continue to throw our revenues at parties! The majority of this population work hard, and struggle to keep food on the table and the lights on. Stop playing with our children’s future, cause when you get vote out it’s us who will be left in the mess. YOU will be on the first plane out on vacation!
  • HMMM (22/05/2025, 15:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    yes build it on the sweat of the expats.....$7.25 wow
  • BuzzBvi (22/05/2025, 15:45) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    SECRECY, SECRECY, SECRECY.
    NO TRANSPARENCY
    NO RESILIENCE
    NO PLANNING
    NO INNOVATION
    NO FINANCIAL REPORTS
    NO AIRPORT REPORTS
    NO CONCERT REPORTS
    NO BOSS ACCESS
    NO REGISTER OF INTERESTS ACCESS
    NO ADMIN COMPLEX
    NO FIGURES
    NO INITIATIVES
    NO PIER PARK DOCKS
    NO PROSPECT REEF RESORT
    NO JOES HILL BUYERS
    NO FLAT SURFACES IN SEA COWS BAY
    NO RACE TRACK IN SEA COWS BAY
    NO BAY IN SEA COWS BAY
    NO FISHERIES COMPLEX
    NO FUNCTIONAL AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
    NO CHECKS ON VEHICLES AT DMV
    NO STAFF FOR AUDITS
    NO STAFF FOR DPP
    NO CONSULTANT REPORTS
    NO INFORMATION
    NO ROADS
    NO WATER
    NO WEST END DOCK
    NO OLD PEOPLES HOME
    NO GOOD GOVERNANCE
    NO QUALITY DEPUTY SPEAKER
    NO COI REAL PROGRESS
    NO LIVEABLE MINIMUM WAGE
    NO COMMITTMENT TO THE PEOPLE
    NO SEA BED BY POCKWOOD POND, HAVERS, BAUGHERS, SOPHIES HILL, TRELLIS BAY....
    NO BEACH AT BRANDYWINE
    NO BEACH ACCESS AT PETER OIL NUT LITTLE DIX CANE GARDEN WHITE BAY SMUGGLERS LONG BAY SANDBOX THE BATHS.....
    NO SCOOTER REGULATION
    NO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
    NO HURRICANE PREPARATION
    NO MAINTENANCE
    NO ROAD TOWN LIBRARY
    NO TANGIBLE PROGRESS
    NO NEED FOR LAST FERRY TO BE AT 5 O'CLOCK
    NO NEED FOR A $500,000 HOSPITAL SIGN
    NO NEED FOR $6,000,000 IN FLIGHTS
    NO NEED FOR $1,000,000,000 AIRPORT DEBT
    NO MORE EMPOWERING YOURSELVES AND LEAVING THE VI PEOPLE AND THE VULNERABLE WITH NOTHING BUT MORE EMPTY WORDS.
    NO, THE MISSION IS CLEAR FOR VISLANDERS, THEY MUST STEP AWAY FROM CORRUPT AND ELITIST LEADERS AND POLITICIANS WHO ARE ONLY EVER LAYING THE BLOCKS OF THEIR OWN SUCCESS AND, TO JOIN TOGETHER AND FIND AMONGST THEM A BETTER WAY FORWARD FOR THE VI.



  • What!! (22/05/2025, 15:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Self praise is no praise at all.
  • Mr. Premier.. (22/05/2025, 16:00) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is Mc Namara not getting water? Its been r days without any water.? Why.?. please look into this.
  • Its funny everytime.. (22/05/2025, 16:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    .. these politician talk bout building this nation. Singapore and PM Lee Kuan has laid out the blueprint for building a nation and these sorry excuses for leaders continue to air them mouth. Until we have that raw, unapologetic, fierce and pure leadership that truly wants to see the best for this place we call home (Something like a Picko or Kishma), until that true country above self mentality steps forward we will never believe you or any of these fraudsters we call representatives.
  • vip (22/05/2025, 16:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vision

    Integrity

    Progress

    mike drop!!!
  • bvibuzz (22/05/2025, 17:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the vip got an easy election victory


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.