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 heads off to London for OTCC meeting

Premier Smith (left) was sworn in by Gov. Boyd McCleary on November 9, 2011.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, OBE will lead a delegation to the United Kingdom (UK) tomorrow, Saturday November 19, 2011 to represent the Territory at the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC) meeting with Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) from November 23-24.

According to a Government Information Service (GIS) press release, Premier Smith will join other premiers, chief ministers and officials from the Overseas Territories (OTs).

They will meet with the Minister for Overseas Territories Mr. Henry Bellingham MP, other ministers of HMG and senior officials to discuss key policy issues and the relationship among counterparts. “This meeting is critical to the direction of all Overseas Territories,”

Premier Smith told the Department of Information and Public Relations. “The Overseas Territories must build a healthy and productive relationship with the British Government within the framework of modern partnership.”

The OTs’ list of agenda items include discussions on the proposed OT Strategy and White Paper; aviation safety; financial services and economic development; good governance, financial management and economic planning; community and local government issues; culture, media and sports issues, criminal justice; business, innovation and skills issues; pension and labour issues; and environment and climate change issues.

Prior to the OTCC meeting the Premier will attend a bi-lateral meeting with Bellingham to discuss a number of pressing matters. While in London the Premier will also meet with the new chairman and members of the BVI All Party Parliamentary Group. He will also be briefed by representatives of Air Safety Support International (ASSI) on a number of aviation matters.

Hon. Smith’s delegation includes Financial Secretary Neil Smith; Assistant Secretary for External Affairs in the Premier’s Office Najan Christopher; elected representative for the eighth district Marlon Penn; advisor Lorna Smith, OBE, and from the BVI London Office, Director Kedrick Malone and Political Analyst Benito Wheatley.

The Premier and delegation will return to the Territory on Saturday November 26.

Meanwhile, in the Premier’s absence from the Territory, Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering will be performing the duties of the premier, the press release added. According to Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 the Governor, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier.”

5 Responses to “Premier heads off to London for OTCC meeting ”

  • Talk Bring Talk (19/11/2011, 22:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kudos for Dr Pickering who has an early acting post.... I love that it aint Skelton in that post!
  • Hmm (20/11/2011, 16:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wanna hear more about the Budget talks when they come back. Voted some and I want a report. I think they should have taken Myron though. Sounds more of a sensible thing to do then Marlon. The wrong M.
  • Proud West Indian (21/11/2011, 10:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    And the lavish spending for a delegation to attend a meeting begins. So much people are not needed on this one trip. Apparently the economy can't be that bad cause Govt done start their bad spending habits.


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.