Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Nov 06, 2024

Does the BVI need another gov’t ministry?

Does the BVI need another gov’t ministry?

The Virgin Islands government needs another ministry.
That’s the position taken by Premier Natalio Wheatley who said an additional ministry would enable the government to properly handle all the areas they are appointed to oversee. There are currently five overarching ministry’s in government.

“We have provisions for a sixth ministry and in order to do that, we’d have to add two seats to the House of Assembly. That’s really a conversation to be had with the people of the Virgin Islands to determine if this is something they have an appetite for. But with all the subjects we have, really the work needs an additional minister,” Premier Wheatley explained at a press conference earlier this week.

As an example of the many areas the government has to oversee, the Premier said he will retain his two permanent secretaries and will likely add a third to ensure all areas under his purview are given adequate attention.

Two additional electoral seats?

Later on in the press conference, a member of the press asked whether the two proposed seats could be added to the House of Assembly before the next general election. The Premier said this was indeed possible.

“There’s something called a Boundaries Commission. It’s allowed for in our constitution. We’d have to appoint a Boundaries Commission and there would have to be some level of consultation with the people of the Virgin Islands and a decision could be made before the next election,” Premier Wheatley said.

Although he stressed the need for another ministry, the Premier pointed out that it is only “a concept” at this point, adding that he isn’t actively seeking to add two seats to the House of Assembly in the short term.

“I’m not putting forward any plans to appoint a Boundaries Commission. That would be something for the people. If they call for it, we can initiate. At this present moment, we are moving forward with the 13 members we have right now.”

He added: “And as you know, we have a constitutional review taking place right now and many persons have been discussing the At-Large seat versus the district seat, how we select the Premier and so on. So I expect those discussions to take place when we look at the report that will be produced by the Constitutional Review Commission.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Royal Estates Earning Millions from Public Services and Charities
Siemens Acquires Altair Engineering in $10.6 Billion Deal
The man who got hit by a bus and immediately went back to the pub is strong! Beer is very important.
Donald Trump files $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News, accusing them of 'deceptively doctoring' Kamala Harris' '60 Minutes' interview
Formal Address for Meghan Markle at Invictus Games
Understanding the US Electoral College System
Apple Launches AI Features on Select iPhones
JP Morgan Sued Customers Over Viral Cheque Fraud Scheme
King Charles to Continue Global Tours Despite Cancer Diagnosis
Venice Extends Tourist Entry Fee Program to 2025
Tommy Robinson Charged Under Terrorism Act for Phone Offence
Plans to Increase Employers' National Insurance Announced
Washington Post Editor-at-Large Robert Kagan has RESIGNED after owner Jeff Bezos BARRED the endorsement of Kamala Harris.
Massive Theft of Artisan Cheddar from Neal’s Yard Dairy
US Man Charged with Murder of Co-Worker over Breaks
Carbon Monoxide Incident Claims Lives at UK Care Home
Birmingham Airport Evacuated Due to Suspicious Vehicle
Former US President Barack Obama raps the lyrics to Eminem's ‘Lose Yourself’ after the rapper introduces him at a Kamala Harris rally in Detroit
KYIV URGES NORTH KOREAN TROOPS IN UKRAINE TO SURRENDER
Ofcom Identifies Link Between Social Media Posts and UK Unrest
Russian Boxer Receives Lifetime Ban for Illegal Move in Boxing Debut
Biden Labels Trump a Threat to Democracy
McDonald's Linked to E. coli Outbreak Leading to One Death
Teacher Enoch Burke arrested at Wilson’s Hospital School in Ireland after refusing to endorse and affirm transgender ideology.
FBI Investigates Leak of US Intelligence on Israeli Strike Plans
Israeli Airstrike Targets Hezbollah's Financial Resources
China’s Baidu is revolutionizing transportation with its robotaxi service
Angela Rayner Secures Permanent Seat on UK National Security Council
Russian Ambassador Claims UK's Proxy War in Ukraine
Doctor Advocates for Assisted Dying Law Reform
Ruth Davis Appointed as UK’s First Nature Envoy
Pressure Mounts on Starmer to Discuss Reparations at Commonwealth Summit
James Cleverly’s Costly In-Flight Catering for Government Trips
AI Regulation Takes Center Stage in 2024 US Presidential Campaign
NASA Study Explores Potential Microbial Life Beneath Mars' Ice
Cats: The Liquid-Like Pets
Netanyahu Condemns Alleged Hezbollah Assassination Attempt
Liam Payne's Tragic Death: Tributes Pour In
Cuba's Power Struggles: Nationwide Blackout Strikes Again
Xi Jinping Urges Troops to Prepare for Conflict Amid Taiwan Drills
Farage Supported by US PR Team Linked to Steve Bannon
Controversy Over MP's Comments on Female Candidate's Family Responsibilities
Highlights from the Conservative Leadership Contest TV Debate
Childminder Jailed for Inciting Racial Hatred After Southport Attack
NHS England's Repair Bill Soars to Almost £14 Billion
Russia Accused of Using Incendiary Devices to Disrupt Western Confidence
Culture Wars: 'A Dog Whistle to Attack the Right', Says Badenoch
Virtual Reality and Advanced Technologies in Combating Cocaine Addiction
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Assembles Taskforce to Safeguard Financial Stability Amid Increased Borrowing Plans
RAF Typhoon Intercepts Air India Flight After Bomb Threat
×