Premier confident ahead of OT Minister’s visit

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has voiced optimism ahead of today’s visit from UK Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty, viewing it as a crucial opportunity to discuss issues like governance reform, climate resilience, and the UK-imposed Order in Council.

In a recent ZBVI interview, Premier Wheatley underscored the importance of the discussions, expressing hope that the UK will lift the Order in Council, established to ensure the BVI’s compliance with governance reforms following the 2021 Commission of Inquiry (COI). “We are pushing hard for the Order in Council to be lifted,” he said, citing numerous reforms implemented by the BVI government as evidence of its commitment to good governance. While he remains confident that the BVI’s recent achievements will be acknowledged, Dr. Wheatley acknowledged the ultimate decision lies with the UK government.

“We believe that we’ve done what is required to show our commitment,” he stated, calling the Order in Council “a colonial tool” that he feels is outdated in a modern UK-BVI partnership. In addition to governance, climate resilience and environmental recovery are also high on the agenda. The BVI, still recovering from past hurricanes, has been enhancing its climate resilience with UK support. “We want to share the progress on climate resilience we are building in the BVI,” Wheatley noted, adding that the UK’s support in preserving the territory’s biodiversity is valuable.