New gov tours, lauds post-rain leadership

Newly appointed governor Augustus Jaspert today spoke highly of the government and people of the British Virgin Islands following his assessment of post-rain recovery efforts.

He hit the ground running yesterday, moments after he touched the tarmac at Terrence B Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.

After he left the airport, Governor Jaspert – along with Premier Dr D Orlando Smith, Deputy Governor Rosalie Adams, and other government officers – visited a number of Tortola communities ravaged by a tropical wave on August 7.

During a ceremony held this morning to officially swear him in as the territory’s twelfth governor, Jaspert noted his tour.

“Yesterday, after I arrived, I took a tour of Tortola to get a sense of the damage cause by the tropical wave, which impacted so badly on the territory two weeks ago. It is clear that the damage caused has been extensive to individuals or properties, business and infrastructure. My heart and prayers go our to all those affected.”

Governor Jaspert also hailed the efforts of the water and electricity authorities, notwithstanding the fact that residents had lamented especially the time-frame within which their water supply was restored.

“It is a credit to everybody involved how quickly the islands are recovering. The fact that under the premier’s guidance electricity and water were restored to so many so quickly is remarkable testimony to the resilience of the residents of the Virgin Islands,” he declared.

“I have heard and seen how hard and tirelessly the emergency services, community organizations, private companies and individuals, and different Government agencies have worked and continue to work – to steal the word of the premier – to return this part of paradise to its normal state,” Governor Jaspert further said.

His deputy, Rosalie Adams, during the swearing-in ceremony this morning, also stated that she is impressed.

“I have to say I admire the courage of the premier and the governor in touring all the devastation that took place in the recent emergency that we had,” she said.

“I couldn’t imagine the governor would be able to go up all those hills – just coming from the flat lands of London, but he did. He did an excellent job, and the people who saw him along the way were very pleased. Thank you governor – thank you premier for your leadership in restoring this territory,” the deputy governor further said.