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

Premier Dr the Hon Wheatley engages VI diaspora in UK

- promises to pursue development of Diaspora Policy
Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and his delegation engaged in meaningful discussions with members of the VI diaspora during a meeting held at the [British] Virgin Islands (BVI) London Office in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2023. Photo: GIS
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) field questions and comments from those in attendance at the BVI London Office on May 8, 2023. Photo: GIS
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL), Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) field questions and comments from those in attendance at the BVI London Office on May 8, 2023. Photo: GIS
LONDON, United Kingdom- Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and his delegation engaged in meaningful discussions with members of the VI diaspora during a meeting held at the [British] Virgin Islands (BVI) London Office in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2023.

According to a Government press release issued on May 10, 2023, Dr Wheatley and team met with a large group of students and Virgin Islanders and entertained questions on various topics, including the referendum on same-sex marriages, advancements in the education curriculum, incentives for Virgin Islanders to return home, assistance for persons living with dementia, specialist healthcare needs, cost of living and use of artificial intelligence in crime solving, among others.

During the discourse, Premier Wheatley also made the promise to pursue the development of a diaspora policy, as he acknowledged that there is a large number of Virgin Islanders trained in various disciplines living abroad, and he is looking forward to developing a structured way in which they can be engaged to assist in addressing various challenges in the Territory.

Students who were in attendance are pursuing various disciplines including Law, Government and Political Science, Marine Engineering and Science.

The students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to interact with the Premier and Ministers as well as other students who are studying across the United Kingdom.

Disapora wishes new Gov't well

Meanwhile, Virgin Islanders in attendance congratulated the Premier on the formation of his new administration and extended well wishes.

Following greetings from Premier Wheatley, Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE and Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro, the Ministers also fielded questions and comments from those in attendance.

The release added that Government remains committed to the development of the Virgin Islands population both locally and abroad, through active dialogue and other engagements as well as the facilitation of programmes and policies aimed at socio-economic advancement.

14 Responses to “Premier Dr the Hon Wheatley engages VI diaspora in UK”

  • herbs power (10/05/2023, 17:59) Like (6) Dislike (24) Reply
    Look at that traitor nuh. You will pay for messing with the people votes.
    • Talk da (10/05/2023, 18:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sy looks good there ????????
    • Chupesss (10/05/2023, 20:26) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply

      The bullsh** NDP, PVIM, and the Lone Ranger planned for VIP backfired and splattered in their damn faces...It's time to get over it once and for all!!!

    • Voter6 (10/05/2023, 20:54) Like (8) Dislike (12) Reply
      IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH LORNA TAKE IT UP WITH THE LORD BECAUSE LORNA DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOU. ONLY THE LORD CAN SOLVE YOU PROBLEMS. WE WELCOME LORNA IN OUR CORNER (VIP) WITH OPEN ARMS.
      • @Voter6 (11/05/2023, 08:59) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
        I couldn't have put in any other way. You spoke for several others of us. VIP has been with us and for us a darn long time ago...and now stronger and better it's looking like many year in the Opposition for the other parties and one-man party with thleir wanna be Premiers)
    • smh (11/05/2023, 02:38) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      Shut up you NDP fool. Get over it! Go Mrs smith. Country first.
    • RedStorm (11/05/2023, 12:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is a threat. You should be careful with how you use this platform. Not all materials posted give justification to “ Freedom of Speech”.
  • mulato (10/05/2023, 19:10) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    That is less that a 1/3750 % of the population of Tolian living in the UK and growing. next visit will be more there than here in the BVI.
  • … (10/05/2023, 19:51) Like (18) Dislike (10) Reply
    We love Lorna she still in the bvi corner
    • Sowande again.. (11/05/2023, 06:12) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      Good going Mr. Premier...God don't make mistake. Ur in the right place, Stay focus..
  • traitor (10/05/2023, 21:29) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Delilah....The VIP will soon start bawling out.....Just a matter of time.
  • Local problems (11/05/2023, 07:12) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    If you stayed home and focused on the real problems facing your community you would not have to worry so much about a growing diaspora. Has it dawned on you slowande just why all these people leave???
  • long overdue (11/05/2023, 09:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have for a long time wondered why Bvi has not oniayed a Homeward Bound omoayibe to get our people holding down the many jobs that are exporting our Currency overseas. I re call on at least three occasions during hon Ralph T O:Neal premiership recommending that our government reach out to our overseas students, perhaps offering them monetary incentives to help with out tourism marketing. He liked the idea but unfortunately never got around to it. But as they say: Nothing happens before it's time. Now it's premier Sowande's time. Some are talking about Bvi not able to pay more grandiose salaries to those home coming professionals it might be worthwhile to take mote of the 100 plus nationalities not only coming to Nbi for job opportunities, but actually applying for Residency and Belongership. OneNvi BviLove
  • WEW (12/05/2023, 17:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Geez what a boondoggle. Who didn’t go and how much is this costing us ?


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit 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.