Thursday 17 June, 2010

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE recently concluded a series of meetings addressing the Territory’s tourism product, air traffic safety, relationships and developments when he travelled to London and Bermuda.
Accompanied by Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Julian Fraser, RA and Director of the BVI London Office Mr. Kedrick Malone, Premier O’Neal met with Mr. David Jessop, Executive Director of the Caribbean Council on matters relating to the United Kingdom’s political scene and European Union developments.

In the meeting with Honourable Henry Bellingham, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for the Overseas Territories (OT), the Premier emphasised his commitment to represent the people of the Virgin Islands and expressed his hope for a mature relationship with the UK based on mutual interests and benefits. Hon. O’Neal also raised the issue of good governance and the need for elected officials to have a stronger voice in the appointment of senior positions in government.

In response, Hon. Bellingham expressed his strong, long-time interest in the OTs and said that he is looking forward to a more dynamic relationship based on a partnership.

The Premier congratulated the minister on his election win and invited him to the Territory to see first-hand government’s efforts and also meet the people of the Virgin Islands.

The Premier and his team also met with Mr. Colin Roberts, Director of the Overseas Territories Department and discussed the Territory’s contingent liabilities guidelines and took the opportunity to outline cost-cutting measures the government is currently undertaking such as the implementation of a new travel policy for public officers and efforts to increase greater cross-training in the public service to reduce the need for additional employees.

The Virgin Gorda Airport closure was discussed extensively when the BVI delegationes met with Chief Operating Officer Mr. Trevor Woods and Chief Executive Officer Ms. Maria Boyle of Air Safety Support International (ASSI).

The Premier asked the ASSI officials to look at re-opening the airport with the required international safety standards observed as the closure has affected the businesses and people of Virgin Gorda. ASSI officials said they will review the matter and update the government if mitigations for limited flight activity might be possible. The Premier also met with officials from the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Transport.

The Premier paid courtesy calls on a number of parliamentarians including Hon. David Crausby, Hon. Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative Backbench, and Hon. Lindsay Hoyle, Chairman of BVI All-Party Parliamentary Group.
At the Pre-Overseas Territories Consultative Council meeting in Bermuda, delegates agreed on the draft agenda for the OTCC meeting to be held in the United Kingdom later this year with the British government.

As the elected head of government, the Premier represents the Territory both regionally and internationally to facilitate discussions with stakeholders on key issues of interest to the Territory.