First public building in JVD named after local

History was created on Jost Van Dyke on Friday as the island’s first public building was named in honour of a local.

Following the damage it sustained during the September 2017 disasters, the Jost Van Dyke Administration building was renovated and renamed after former Customs Officer, the late Albert Chinnery.

Chinnery served over 30 years in the public before passing away on December 25, 2001, at the age of 64.

Among his accomplishments was him receiving the Queen’s certificate and Badge of Honour in 1989.

“Albert had many fishing boats some of which we’re custom made for him. He did some farming for himself but mostly he assisted his mother Mathilda Chinnery with her farming,” said Desires Gomez, a niece of the honouree.

“He loved his relatives and everyone he met. He welcomed visitors to the island and treated everyone with respect. Many of the visitors he met corresponded with him and would inquire about him upon their return to the island,” she added.

Meanwhile, friend of the late Chinnery, John Klein described him as a “no no-nonsense kind of man” who had good traditions.

“He was truly the unsung hero of the BVI,” Klein said. “It is with great pride and satisfaction that the building is being renamed in his honour. This is a great day for JVD, the godfather of tourism in JVD.”