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Premier marks 1 year anniversary in Gov’t with pledge to continue tackling challenges

- said his perspective is 'extremely optimistic'
Marking his 1st anniversary since taking office, Virgin Islands Premier & Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has expressed gratitude for the confidence instilled in him and his administration to take the helm of government and shared a commitment to continue building & delivering for the people of the territory. Photo: GIS/File
The Premier marked the milestone with a brief address yesterday, April 24, 2024 in a in a live broadcast where he also solicited the continued support of those in the VI, to create a greater territory for all. Photo: SKN Observer
The Premier marked the milestone with a brief address yesterday, April 24, 2024 in a in a live broadcast where he also solicited the continued support of those in the VI, to create a greater territory for all. Photo: SKN Observer
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Marking his 1st anniversary since taking office, Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has expressed gratitude for the confidence shown in him and his administration to take the helm of government and has shared a commitment to continue building and delivering for the people of the territory.

The Premier marked the milestone with a brief address yesterday, April 24, 2024, in a live broadcast when he also solicited the continued support of those in the VI to create a greater territory for all.

“Over the past year, we have honestly sought to honour the profound trust placed in us. Ever mindful of the biblical teaching that to whom much is given, much will be required, I fully grasp the weight of this responsibility and strive daily to lead with both humility and assurance.”

The Premier added, “With a renewed sense of purpose, a shared vision and unwavering determination, we set about the people's business a year ago. We embarked on a journey to not only advance but to transform our territory in a manner that current and future generations of Virgin Islanders can be proud of. I would like to acknowledge the challenges we've encountered over the past year, including securing the resources needed to recover from the worst disaster in our history.”

VI will continue to tackle challenges - Premier 

Touching on inflation brought on by global conflicts, governance reform, international regulatory landscape and financial obligations in the face of limited resources, Dr Wheatley said despite these obstacles, the government and people continue to move forward together, fueled by vigour, hope and determination. 

“Despite the complex and challenging external circumstances, despite the vulnerabilities that Small Island Developing States such as ours experience, despite our internal struggles to transform our public service to better meet the needs of our growing society, my perspective is extremely optimistic.”

The Premier spoke on the positive forecast for both the tourism and the financial services sector, in addition to performance in the sports sector. 

“Our young people continue to make us proud on the international stage, whether through their professional accomplishments, sports, academics or culture. We have a lot to be grateful for. I assure the people of the Virgin Islands that we are guided by a strong and clear vision. We have passed the National Sustainable Development Plan. We are now dedicating the resources to transform that plan into a series of practical steps which will move us from plans to progress.”

Meanwhile, he said the VI continues to lay the groundwork for sustained excellence over time. “We are prepared to take the essential steps to prioritise our greatest asset, our people, and to foster their continued confidence in our leadership. Together, we will rise to new heights, striving to make our nation one of the greatest on this earth,” he added.

22 Responses to “Premier marks 1 year anniversary in Gov’t with pledge to continue tackling challenges”

  • ... (25/04/2024, 10:23) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    Happy anniversary
  • smh (25/04/2024, 10:38) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    It feels like the bvi does not have a primer look at the condition of the road we tax payers have to drive on in unacceptable, what happen to the school that was broken down no progress now other communities having water problem what is the government doing “nothing but collecting money from the poor an needy
  • Yes to UK (25/04/2024, 10:43) Like (23) Dislike (7) Reply
    We will be thankfull if the UK takes over.
  • Sowande again (25/04/2024, 10:46) Like (6) Dislike (25) Reply
    Its a small territory with huge problems. Most of them you inherited and you holding things down. Continue working... Ignore the noise. God ask for your best.. Continue doing that..
    • NO!! (25/04/2024, 11:34) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
      Primer the Party doctor?? The blind can see that nothing positive is happening BVI. Lord have mercy, Not He again. His biggest mistake was not to take the the Guarantee Loan from the UK. but us see He and is team them don't want to be accountable and want to do what them want. Please God No!!! Not this Government again!!
  • GRADE "F" (25/04/2024, 10:58) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE ARE WORST OFF THAN A YEAR AGO
  • HMMM (25/04/2024, 10:59) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Replace minista who can't fix the roads...
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (25/04/2024, 11:13) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Honestly Hon. Premier Natalio Sujande Wheatley, you are not truthful. You know this to be true and the majority of the people that live in the BVI know that the the majority is your anniversary speech contradict your conscience.
    In other words you are an enemy of Truth.
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (25/04/2024, 11:29) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    are you sure it is not persons born outside of the british virgin islands without a british vigin islands birth certificate and a british passport for the virgin islands committing crime and murder and violence in the british virgin islands to person born in the british virgin islands over 56 years ago?
  • pat (25/04/2024, 11:50) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply
    I wake up every day and thank god the vip in power the opposition is confusion
  • Please Premier (25/04/2024, 12:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please fix the incinerator issue once and for all, I beg.
  • 2024 (25/04/2024, 13:53) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    please inform our elected leader that Action certainly speaks louder than words

    For the past 365 days all laid out on the table is talk however for the benefit of those who love engagement will happy with the past 365 days

    If you understand our political system come 2027 you will see all manner of projects not to mention them knocking down our doors

    A set of them ran looking political seat(when last U see one of them after voting day

    • @2024 (25/04/2024, 17:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      In 2027 God's willing. Only Mator will be elected from opposition side. And kyle may get his seat from Government side because only district 5 can vote for him but if mark come take a seat beside him he would not win for sure this man seems to have changed big time all he doing is giving all his people taxi licences so they are going to vote for him but trust the process all the rest going to take a seat because they seems to have no feelings for the people of this territory all of them politicians seems to have fallen asleep.
  • Jokere (25/04/2024, 14:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
    None But our self can free our minds
  • Ayu Lucky (25/04/2024, 14:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ayu lucky he aint throw a party just for that. That's all he know how to do. As for that one in the 1st District all he good for is selling cake, bread and fish on Thursdays. No west end port, no incinerator, no roads, schools still in shambles, barely getting water and all he doing is selling bread and fish down Carrot Bay. We Miss You Drew!!!!
    • @Ayu Lucky (26/04/2024, 12:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      And what did Drew do other than hand out big money and not even on a needs basis? The seniors and indigents got maybe $300 and lots of the young, able-bodied, working crew got in $10,000 and above, way above. Since the COI, free money has ceased. You have to go to Social Development for money now. Unfortunately, as a Premier he neither made the country nor his District any better.
  • Yes? (25/04/2024, 15:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    @pat I think you are the one that is confusion.
  • how long? (25/04/2024, 16:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Not long!................Only 36 more months
  • Stealth (26/04/2024, 13:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every job has a honeymoon, ie, 3, 6, 1-year, 100 days. Most if not all jobs come with a 6-month probation; elected office jobs comes with 90 days, for in opposition, government usually have all the answers to problems, making nuff promises. The government has bee in office for 1-year, so what is the report card? How is the electorate feeling the change if any? Flowery language, old talk etc is one thing but if the people are feeling the change, it is going to be a to row to hoe. What is the government report card on this 1-year anniversary.

    The Premier is too much of desk jockey. He needs to get out from behind the desk and mingle with people through the length and breath of the VI. He is and will pay a heavy price by riding that desk. Lead by out and about, by walking around, wandering around, etc be down with the people.
    • RealPol (26/04/2024, 18:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Tom Peters writer and management guru wrote In Search of Excellence, and chronicled the concept MBWA ( Management By Wandering Around). The practice has value and pays dividends when employed.
  • Challenger (26/04/2024, 16:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I challenge the Premier to chug that last bottle of Hennessy left behind in the executive liquor cabinet.
    So far he has eaten all the vegetables on his plate.
  • Really? (26/04/2024, 16:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Natalio when you talk like this you sound like a raving lunatic. Boss you don’t be here. You have no idea what is happening unless one of your minions tell you. We hardly see you, or hear you. You busy globe trotting convincing yourself that you doing it for the people of the BVI. Meanwhile we here struggling to pay the boat fare to St Thomas. Tell me how does you and the fam going to Dubai help us? When will we get an update on the trips and their continuous purpose? Might as well you give the seat to Lorna, and you be vice! Enjoy the premier life unlike Andrew you won’t be there for over 20 years!!


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