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UPDATE: Premier Smith asking residents for patience [Photoslide Included]

- VI’s Premier, Ministers sworn in!
Premier Dr. D Orlando Smith sworn in as the Territory's leader by Governor McCleary. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson.
From left to right: Hon. Pickering; Hon. Skelton; Hon. Vanterpool and Hon. Walwyn.
From left to right: Hon. Pickering; Hon. Skelton; Hon. Vanterpool and Hon. Walwyn.
From left to right: Hon. Pickering; Hon. Skelton; Hon. Vanterpool and Hon. Walwyn.
From left to right: Hon. Pickering; Hon. Skelton; Hon. Vanterpool and Hon. Walwyn.
From left to right: Hon. Pickering; Hon. Skelton; Hon. Vanterpool and Hon. Walwyn.
From left to right: Hon. Pickering; Hon. Skelton; Hon. Vanterpool and Hon. Walwyn.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Newly appointed Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith is asking every person in the Territory to have patience as his Cabinet tries to unravel the "spider’s web" of the Territory's finances.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as of today we only have a vague idea of what financial condition our country is in,” he told a large crowd at the official swearing in of Government Ministers held at the Sir. Rupert Briercliffe Hall on Wednesday November 9, 2011.

He called for unity and encouraged residents that no matter party affiliation, ethnicity or country of origin, they “must with one agreement, work to improve the quality of life in the Virgin Islands”.

“As I said in my victory speech, at the end of the day this is our beloved home and we all want the best for it. So let the healing begin today. Let the journey of recovery begin for our territory in an atmosphere of goodwill. Let us put our country first, under God, and let us work together to reclaim and restore the greatness of our territory,” the Premier appealed.

He added, “With your vote of confidence you have given us an overwhelming command to work for you and to work with you. As we did at our many campaign rallies we once more make a solemn promise to you that we will not make decisions in seclusion or exclusion. We will strive to always seek your advice; we will welcome your input in decisions we will have to make on your behalf.

“To rebuild the BVI together we must and will keep the lines of communications open. I truly believe that we all want a better Virgin Islands but we all have different opinions and ideas on how to get where we need to be. We will keep you apprised of plans and activities that we carry out on your behalf. We hope in turn that you will continue to respond to us and to let us know what we’re doing right and what you think we’re doing wrong. We learnt the hard way of doing otherwise four years ago and will not repeat that error again.”

Amidst the enthusiasm of the crowd, Governor Boyd McCleary sworn into office Dr. D. Orlando Smith as Premier; 7th district representative Kedrick Pickering as Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour; 4th district representative Mark Vanterpool as Minister for Communications and Works; At Large representative Ronnie Skelton as Minister of Health and Social Development and At Large representative Myron Walwyn as Minister of Education and Culture.

The NDP emerged victorious 9-4 at the November 7 General Elections with the Virgin Islands Party holding onto four seats.

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12 Responses to “UPDATE: Premier Smith asking residents for patience [Photoslide Included]”

  • Congratulations (09/11/2011, 21:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's a new day and a new season in the BVI. Just as we prayed before election we need to continue to pray that god will grant these men and ladies wisdom as they steer this country for the next four years. For those who didnt win only god knows the reason and we have to continue to trust him.
  • A Look to the future (09/11/2011, 22:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Think this is a very important time for the Virgin Islands; this new govt has an opportunity to do great things for the Virgin Islands and its people. The Virgin Islands is staged in a position that may allow it and its people a wonderful and prosperous future. The VIP party though I felt lack in its desire to push forward with greater vigor. I felt had an appreciation of our history, one in which I felt spoke to what we valued as virgin islander. People may feel that this lack in desire may have slowed opportunity, but what I saw was a govt giving its people the chance to take its future into its own Hands. A virgins with too much foreign ownership is a virgin island not for virgin islanders; yes foreign investment may be needed and can be great but only if it benefit in true ownership for Virgin Islanders and not servitude. The NDP Party from what I have gathered may have a greater desire to move our country forward, however should be mindful as to how these changes may further affect the fabric of our country. As a virgin islander, who appreciate our calm, slow nature my eyes are open with concerns, however excited by the possibilities. Please make the Virgin Islands the Virgin Islands once again, a place where people are proud to be a virgin islander, currently we have no identity. Teach IT, Instill It, in our locals and every one we invite to live and work amongst us! Teaching it is the only way to insure it remains!
  • Shara Parlin (10/11/2011, 00:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have a lot of questions about this election and the issues with the ballot boxes and vote padding...but the great Jehovah sits on his thrown!
  • tell the truth (10/11/2011, 00:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the so call "new' NDP we know they still the same old snakes done start to tell lies an find excuses with dem crap bout they don't know how we stand economically!!!!!...what ah ting? but during the campaign they were the ones with the propaganda quoting figures and talking about the VIP have the country broke!!!! now three days after the elections dem ah talk about they not sure about the country's finances...when them done get dem figures from the NDP FS...struppss dem start off wid their first excuse.....but wait I told you so and now me feel sorry for them gullible poor youths....when dem see them scholarships cut or on hold and them mother and fathers getting send home remember I told you so boss.
    • billyb (10/11/2011, 08:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i am all for scholarships, but or tax money pays for a lot of scholarship for people who don't return to the bvi. they take their talent elsewhere. It is time to hold off on dem scholarships and repair our country. Does it make sense to continue sending dozens of student to college and have nothing to offer them when they get back??? You sound bitter, but you'll be aight. Handouts got to stop, it is crippling our country. VIP not only have the country broke, they wilfully did it close to the end of the campagne so NDP would have nothing to work with. It was big on JTV news how great mountain road is completed. LIE, LIE,LIE. Go check there by Shabazz roadside bar; ain even touch, but fraser coulda tek the money and pave the entire sea cows bay road what aint quarter as bad as great mountain. das y I am tickled purple juggy aint get another change, better yet he ain getting no pension, BEAUTIFUL!!!!
    • BREAKING NEWS!! (10/11/2011, 09:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Go suck an egg!! LOL
  • See and know (10/11/2011, 09:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Tell the truth - whaaa waaaahhh waaaahhh, keep crying, yes they dont know because VIP fudged the books. They lost. @Shara Palin i bet your gonna say the observers were corrupt? Oh wait that was Ralph. A judge already determined that and said it to his face "you are a powerful and CORRUPT man". so you can keep bawling, i only came on this site to see all you loosers bawling, lol lol lol lol lol lol. how does it feel? Ralph cant even talk, no statement Orlando ........sorry the Premier, was trying to be a gentleman and make excuse about he hasnt been home yet so he doesnt know if Ralph call him yet, crap, everybody have Doc cell #, but he was just tying to be nice. wonder if Omar doing ok, hope them pills working. lolololololololololol.
  • tell the whole story (10/11/2011, 11:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    one of the most weakest government in the history of these islands...smith with finance..Please!
  • go to work now (10/11/2011, 16:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    cme on boss we got no time to waste make things happen what damm patience you need afer going on your fourth term?


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