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Premier Wheatley & Deputy Smith off to London this weekend for Nov 2023 JMC meeting

- Hon Kye M. Rymer to Act as Premier; Bust of Ralph T O’Neal to be unveiled @ BVI London House
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and his Deputy Premier Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE (AL), the Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, will travel to London, United Kingdom (UK) from this weekend (November 10, 2023) to attend the Annual General Meetings of the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC). Photo: GIS/File
A bust of the late former Premier of the [British] Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, House of Assembly (HoA) Member Emeritus, will reportedly be unveiled at the BVI London Office. Photo: Facebook/File
A bust of the late former Premier of the [British] Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, House of Assembly (HoA) Member Emeritus, will reportedly be unveiled at the BVI London Office. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and his Deputy Premier Hon Lorna G. Smith OBE (AL), the Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, will travel to London, United Kingdom (UK) from this weekend (November 10, 2023) to attend the Annual General Meetings of the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC).

The meeting is expected to take place from November 14-15, 2023 in London.

The details of the agenda have not been released to the public; however, the Premier is expected to make the announcement this evening Thursday, November 2023, at 2:00 PM in a joint press conference with Hon Smith.

Bust to be unveiled @BVI London House

Other topics at the press conference are to include the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the BVI London House, as there will be a recognition ceremony for the late former Premier Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, House of Assembly (HoA) Member Emeritus.

A bust of the late Premier O'Neal is expected to be unveiled at the BVI London House, which was the brainchild of Hon O’Neal, according to sources familiar with the plans.

Hon Rymer to steer the ship of state in the interim

Meanwhile, it is our newsroom's understanding that while both the Premier and Deputy Premier are overseas on official business, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), the Minister for Communications and Works, will act as Premier and Minister of Finance.

The press conference by Premier Wheatley and his Deputy Smith today will be carried live on ZBVI 780 AM and on the Government of the Virgin Islands Facebook page.

23 Responses to “Premier Wheatley & Deputy Smith off to London this weekend for Nov 2023 JMC meeting”

  • smh (09/11/2023, 09:02) Like (45) Dislike (12) Reply
    Country broke and every minute them travelling unnecessarily on tax dollars...smh what a set
    • Real Simple (09/11/2023, 14:18) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      I hear the general point, however it is essential the BVI attend the JMC. It's the only body where all the UK Overseas Territories assemble to discuss the issues facing them.
    • FIRE (09/11/2023, 15:08) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      So its me alone getting bite from these mosquitoes and no smoke truck is being deployed.
      • @ Fire (09/11/2023, 18:23) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
        They not killing those billion dollar mosquitoes imported and let loose
        Imagine a group of ppl making decisions for us
    • Would the Real Premier Please Stand Up (09/11/2023, 16:22) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
      She’s not letting him out of her sight to go on trips alone - got to wonder who the real Premier is…would the real premier please stand up (looks at pic…)
  • good (09/11/2023, 09:19) Like (11) Dislike (24) Reply
    I love this. Lorna in our corner. Premier is learning a lot from lorna.
  • Lawwd (09/11/2023, 09:21) Like (20) Dislike (9) Reply
    Lawwd Sowande can't catch a break. Why Lorna don't stay in her place and let the Premier do what he got to do? It should have been one or the other travelling...NOT BOTH! Who cares anymore. Clown show everyday.
  • resident (09/11/2023, 09:25) Like (47) Dislike (5) Reply
    traveling and taking pics but no progress on roads, utilities etc, we the people got robbed
  • Hum (09/11/2023, 09:33) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Spend the money,spend it
  • Geez People (09/11/2023, 10:04) Like (10) Dislike (18) Reply
    Just let them do their jobs
  • tickets (09/11/2023, 10:27) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ayo put them there so wa ayo complaining for .
  • ASKING (09/11/2023, 11:04) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    What benefit does London house bring to BVI?
  • Senior native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (09/11/2023, 11:17) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    True it necessary for our political leaders to travel overseas in order to represent our interest, especially to the UK, our political Boss or head, more than anywhere else to meet, and hold conversation in regards to hopefully better collective governance of the the BVI. But have stop to think that it is a possibility that unforeseeable accident, or physical unexpected misfortune, or possible death of our Top two political leaders is highly as possible as leaders of all other Countries on this planet?
    God forbid such would happen to us. But if such a thing we're to happen, our present turbulence situation would be seen by others around the world as clear lack of visionary leadership.
    In my honest opinion, the two Top Leaders of any Country's political leaders should never go Overseas to any even or events, unless it is vitally necessary.

    B.V.I political leaders I urge you to wake up from your slumbering sleep, and bias dreams.
    Remember that the strength of a country is not material wealth along, but rather the proactive, active knowledge, and wisdom to manage it unbiasely.
  • YES TO THE UK (09/11/2023, 11:27) Like (23) Dislike (6) Reply
    Wherever she came up with those glasses make her look like a old bag.
  • WHAT!!! (09/11/2023, 13:03) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    Travelling first class on our money again while we can not get roads, schools, and water fixed.
    Stay home and get these things fixed.
  • Real Macoy (09/11/2023, 13:57) Like (5) Dislike (53) Reply
    THE Premier don't have to be here to get the roads and street water issues fixed. They are here all the time and they isn't get fixed as yet. They have to go on their missions when they are called; that is part of their duties. In every country all premiers and other dignitaries have to travel very so often as part of their duties.
  • Xxx (09/11/2023, 14:53) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Vino always have the inside scoop
  • huh (09/11/2023, 16:48) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    hey ho hey ho its off to work i go

    another darn trip for them........country is BROKE...YOU GUYS NEED TO START RUNNING IT LIKE A BUSINESS

    we need to see how much each of these trips is costing per person..hotels...flights..limo services..make it public ..what are you hiding ??
    do the accumulated airmiles go towards the BVI government business account ( which im sure is set up ...not !) or to each of yiur personal accounts.

    tell us please
  • Well Sah (09/11/2023, 17:13) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    THIS MAN DOING MORE TRAVELLING THAN THE KING, BIDEN AND PUTIN ADDED TOGETHER
  • NB (10/11/2023, 10:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lord have mercy on us the people of the Virgin Islands. Y'all taking this country to a 4th World country. Can't be 3rd world anymore.
  • tola (10/11/2023, 10:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sah
  • To the Brokers (10/11/2023, 10:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    For your information, my country (the VI) is not broke. You and your family may be broke personally, but me and my country is not broke. The power of your tongue is what have you all broke. Speak positive and you will reap positivity


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