As of November 2024, Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley will be taking on new responsibilities following changes to ministerial portfolios while holding on to Immigration, Labour and Financial Services. Photo: Office of the Premier

Instruments of appointments signed by Governor Daniel Pruce have resulted in ministerial changes to various ministries including the Premier's Office and the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade among others. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

According to a press release from the Premier’s Office, His Excellency the Governor, Mr Daniel Pruce, has signed instruments of appointment, resulting in changes to ministerial portfolios for the Premier's Office; the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development; the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade; the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change; and the Ministry of Communications and Works.

Premier’s new responsibilities

The Premier’s Office will now oversee Agriculture; Fisheries; Food Security; and Veterinary previously held by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change.

Following the changes, Premier Wheatley will be responsible for the Premier’s Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development, and the Ministry for Financial Services, Economic Development, and Digital Transformation.

He will receive support from the Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson (R1), and the Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4).

Other ministerial changes

Other ministerial changes include the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development taking on Statistics from the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, as well as District Councils from the Premier’s Office.

While the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade has been renamed the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development, and Digital Transformation, it now includes Cooperatives; Industrial Development (including Incentives); Immigration; Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment Development (RATED) Programme; and Weights and Measures.

Premier Wheatley will take on responsibilities for Labour, Immigration and the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA).

Deputy Premier Hon Julian Fraser RA will head the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change. His ministry now covers Building Inspection and Standards; Electrical Inspection; Housing; and Town and Country Planning.

Hon Fraser previously had responsibility for Labour and Immigration.

Meantime, the Ministry of Communications and Works has gained responsibility for Alternative Energy, which has been transferred from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change.