Premier outlines slew of plans gov’t has for BVI this year
Amid calls for a comprehensive plan to revive the ailing economy and criticisms that the pandemic isn’t being handled well, Premier Andrew Fahie recently outlined a myriad of plans and laws his government will implement in the coming months.
Some of the plans are already in progress while others are yet to come.
The plans include legislative roll-outs, infrastructural development spanning all sectors, and the long-awaited constitutional review.
Speaking in the March 9 sitting of the House of Assembly, the Premier said his government is committed to improving the territory although the COVID-19 challenge exists.
“It is in this regard that I wish to remind this Honourable House and the Virgin Islands public of some of the targets that your government has set for the period ahead,” the Premier said.
Below of a few of these initiatives.
Planned legislation
• Integrity in Public Life Act and Ministerial Code of Conduct • • Procurement Act
• Contractor General legislation and WhistleBlower legislation that has already had their First Reading in the House of Assembly and will be followed by public consultation.
• The Police Act, which already had its First Reading and will go through the public consultation process.
• Amendments to the Customs Act to revise the framework for export tax to generate revenues from exports. The amendment also includes extending the zero-tax on renewable energy equipment for a specific period.
• Due to an expressed demand, the government will be extending the stamp duty waiver for the purchase of property by Belongers. This is being done through a legislative amendment that has already received its First Reading in the House of Assembly.
• Government has plans to implement legislation for the Water & Sewerage Department and Virgin Islands Shipping Registry to become Statutory Bodies. This will help these departments to become more profitable and efficient, marketable and competitive.
• Government has introduced and passed a suite of e-Government legislation that includes but are not limited to the Data Protection Act, Electronic Transfers of Funds Act, Electronic Filing Act, and the Electronic Transactions Act.
• A Virgin Islands Investment Act and a Business Licensing Act 2020 have also been introduced in the House.
Constitutional Review
Cabinet recently approved the framework that will guide the structure of the upcoming Constitutional Review.
The government has also approved the framework to guide the National Development Sustainable Plan initiative. Premier Fahie said this will be the roadmap for the territory’s development.
Government promises to hold public meetings in all electoral districts so residents will have the opportunity to give their input on the National Sustainable Development Plan.
The Fahie administration also has several other plans — outside the realm of legislation — that it plans to introduce this year.
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The primer need to stop taking cause he always end up looking like an i***t
To this date he can’t get a plan to open up the main port for tourism not this
This man just need attention but guess what your luck ran out Andrew
It’s time for you to get the get out of government
Those aren’t plans, those are legislative actions. Proposals at best. Even he can’t come up with a plan. Lol
YOU FORGET ME?? I BET YIU DIDNT FORGET TO EAT THROGH
Is there a plan to put out the fire at the dump?
Those are plans? WTF?
yes. 1/2 of which has been started last year.
What do we export?
Drugs.
We are a narco state.
I mean we know the obvious but sometimes y’all don’t think before y’all speak. The stuff you post here are things ppl around the world can access. Don’t give ppl ammunition to talk bad about our country our lively hood depends on it. Do some of you get that?!?! Jeeze man everything negative y’all want to post and comment online not realizing the damage you helping cause you your own country.
They are going to tax exports? Really? Madness.
And the Business Licensing Act introduces even more bureaucracy, more protection for cronies and draconian powers for the government to take over businesses. A better name would be the Anti Business Licensing Act.
Do these clowns not realize that in the worlds most successful economies including the USA you do not need a government license with all it’s bureaucratic nightmares to start a business.
You said it Brittany!
jkhjhhl
All this talk isn’t going to save you
This news site is malicious.
…and NOTHING about land!!!!
FREE UP THE LAND!!
unused land needs to be used!!!!! we need to grow BVI