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Premier Wheatley in Miami; Hon Lorna G. Smith takes VI driver's seat

Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, (AL) will take the Driver's seat as Premier and Minister of Finance from July 28 to July 30 while Premier Wheatley is away from the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) will join leaders from across the Caribbean Overseas Territories (OT) for a caucus of Caribbean OT leaders on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Miami, Florida in the USA.

“This gathering is an opportunity for us to engage with other leaders from the Caribbean Overseas Territories to exchange views on issues of mutual concern and find common ground on various matters,” Premier Wheatley said in a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) on July 28, 2023.

According to the press release, the objective of this official attendance is to continue to promote the overall socio-economic and political interests of the Virgin Islands through strengthening regional collaboration.

The Premier added, “By identifying priority areas ahead of the upcoming Joint Ministerial Council meeting later this year, we can amplify our collective voice and work towards solutions that benefit all our territories as we confront various challenges and seize new opportunities; unity and solidarity among the OTs are paramount.”

Hon Lorna G Smtih acting premier 

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, (AL) will take the Driver's seat as Premier and Minister of Finance from July 28 to July 30 while Premier Wheatley is away from the Virgin Islands.

The Premier is scheduled to return to the territory on July 30. 

12 Responses to “Premier Wheatley in Miami; Hon Lorna G. Smith takes VI driver's seat”

  • cay (28/07/2023, 20:02) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lawd the divers seat for how long?
  • WHAT!!! (28/07/2023, 21:50) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    He away more the he here.
  • lol (28/07/2023, 23:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Headline should read “Lorna in yalls corner”
  • Winky (29/07/2023, 08:38) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is this man ever on the island ? One expensive trip after another !!
  • HAHA (29/07/2023, 09:40) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    visit to Fahie?
  • Eldread (29/07/2023, 11:08) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is what you call lobbying , and who ever set the narrative of that meeting control the grouping, and these ministers are eager for any excuse to travel and enjoy the amenities of different countries around the world. It's like vacationing after the impulsive action of taking $250k for a non stop party and the country comes down on you cause that fund could have fix the hospital MRI machine or pot holes are increments to civil servants. And thing is all these little petty meetings could be done by zoom, consider it just 2 days duration and factor in travel logistics with traffic it's going to be a 3 hour meeting per day, and weigh that against his hotel allowances and meals, a zoom meeting would be more econocal.
  • Priorities (29/07/2023, 13:08) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is mazing Nd even confusing to underst Nd the rel benicitslf that are obtained for participating in these summits of gathering. So taxpayers stend these a tivies/event to learn perhaps better ways and means of managing your country, where in the BVI there's numerous fe ommendations still not imbedded in oifcluntry's better management. We already know that we are broke and know that we have to borrow. Meanwhile we are burying Tortola's garbage in the ground at Pockwood Pond with no idea of a possible solution. On Virgin Gorda we are burning the garbage and bulldozing towards somewhere. By the way, the garbage dump on Virgin Gorda is located between North Sound and SpanishTown on the west and in the same area as Gorda Peak National Park. The road infrastructure seems to be and endless no-time
  • NB (29/07/2023, 14:51) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is overbearing now. The people of the BVI need to take to the streets in peaceful protest for the lack of basic needs in their country. Every other day this man, who is supposed to listen to the people and lead us forward, he on a plane somewhere. For what? We don’t know. Enough is enough! You are not a leader. Please step down Mr. Sowande Wheatley. Do the people a favour.
  • vex (29/07/2023, 17:07) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Travel is part of his job
  • ras (29/07/2023, 20:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Press gas Lorna press ????
  • Sad (29/07/2023, 21:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just sad. Here we go again people perish
  • sunnydays (31/07/2023, 09:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is ironic that we have direct flights to the mainland from the BVI purported by the premier.
    So why was the Premier at Cyril E King Airport in St Thomas taking a flight to Miami????????


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