(L-R) Talking Points Co-host Elvin G. Grant, Violet Thomas-Gaul and guest Mr Paul B. Dennis, KC, Jamaica's Honourary Consul to the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook

Jamaica's Honourary Consul to the Virgin Islands (VI), Mr Paul B. Dennis, Senior Partner of the local law firm O’Neal Webster and a Jamaican national residing in the Territory for the past thirty-two years, paid a courtesy call on Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), left. Photo: GIS

Mr Paul B. Dennis, KC, Jamaica’s Honourary Consul to the Virgin Islands, said he sees the role as an opportunity to serve his home country of Jamaica and his adopted country of the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source

Mr Dennis was the guest on Talking Points last night, May 19, 2025, on ZBVI 780 AM, where he spoke about his new role. 

Asked by co-host Violet Thomas-Gaul if there is remuneration for this job as it “seems to be a lot of work”, Mr Dennis replied that the post of Honourary Consul is an unpaid role. 

“The fact that the nomenclature includes honourary says a lot because it is viewed as, and I certainly view it, as a service to my country. For me it is a welcome opportunity to serve not just my home country of Jamaica but my adopted country of the BVI, after all I’ve lived and worked and been welcomed as a part of the BVI community for the last 32 years, and so this is a small way in which I can give back.”

Meeting with Jamaicans in the VI

Mr Dennis, Senior Partner of the local law firm O’Neal Webster, said as Honourary Consul, he will meet with Jamaicans residing in the VI next Monday, May 26, 2025, at the Brumant Fellowship Hall, New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre in Baughers Bay, from 7:00 PM. 

“There, I will have an opportunity to meet and have a discussion with my fellow Jamaicans about how the consulate can be of benefit to them and how I personally, in that role, will be able to assist,” he said. 

All Jamaicans who reside in the territory have been invited to attend this important meeting. 

Serving as a 'bridge'  

Mr Dennis explained that the role of the consulate is to serve as a bridge or a conduit between the powers that be in Jamaica, in the government, and the powers that be in the VI. It is also intended to be a bridge between Jamaica and its nationals in the VI in terms of attending to matters which affect their interests

“In a nutshell, the honourary consul of Jamaica, in whatever jurisdiction it’s operating, is responsible for providing consular services and engaging in promotional activities on behalf of the government of Jamaica,” he added. 

Some of the functions under the portfolio include the promotion of commercial, economic, cultural, scientific and tourism opportunities for Jamaica in the host country; liaising with official or state entities in the consular district on behalf of Jamaica in facilitating meetings with officials, key decision makers and influencers in the consulate jurisdiction. 

Regular day-to-day services to Jamaican nationals include but are not limited to the processing of consular documents, the issuance of emergency travel certificates, assisting Jamaicans in distress and representing the interest of the government of Jamaica as required in the host country and the interest of Jamaican nationals who reside in that country. 

Benefits of a Jamaican consulate in the VI

Mr Dennis added that there are benefits to the VI as well in having a Jamaican consulate here. 

There can be situations for collaboration between the VI and Jamaica in which he can play a role in facilitating. These, he said, he thinks of as “limitless”, limited only by the “extent to which we can imagine the possibilities”. 

Mr Dennis also revealed that following his meeting with Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) last week, where he presented his credentials, Premier Wheatley spoke about areas in which he would like Jamaica and the VI to collaborate. 

These include cultural exchanges, sports engagement and exchanges and assistance. 

“He identified a number of areas in which he felt that it would be good for the BVI and Jamaica to interfaace in a more direct and collaborative way than has been the case and the extent that I can be a conduit and a vehicle to ge that kind of communication going,” Mr Dennis stated.