GOVERNOR MACAN DELIVERS SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

The Legislative agenda for the new National Democratic Party (NDP) government is an ambitious one, but with God's grace and the support of the people, it would be brought to fruition.

Those words from His Excellency Governor Thomas Macan as he delivered the Speech from the Throne on Thursday July 10th at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall, during the 1st sitting of the 1st session of the 15th Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands.

He explained that he was delivering the speech on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, in whom the executive authority of the British Virgin Islands is vested. He pointed out that references therefore to "My Government" are to Her Majesty's Government in the Virgin Islands.

His Excellency said Government will focus on six broad areas: a stronger economy; better healthcare and improved social services; good governance and "Government in the Sunshine"; a world class education system and investment in our youth development and sports; sustaining the natural resources; and improving communications links and infrastructure.
He said Government would seek to develop new areas of economic activity beyond the twin pillars of tourism and financial services, whilst strengthening these two pillars. He spoke of the establishment of a Small Business Bureau for the training of small entrepreneurs; re-visiting the ten-year national tourism development plan; encourage further resort and hotel development and establish the BVI as a base for mega yachts.

"My Government fully understands the importance of a properly regulated, internationally-recognized financial services sector," Governor Macan declared. "It will introduce legislation to improve the effectiveness of the Financial Services Commission, including giving it responsibility for the supervision of the Development Bank."

He said Government recognizes the importance of science and technology for a sustainable developing and internationally connected economy such as ours and will therefore work to make sure that the BVI's information technology infrastructure is world class and price competitive.
He announced that the Development Planning Unit would assist all Ministries in establishing priorities, which will result in a Public Sector Investment Programme for 2003-2007.

Some of the bills the new government hopes to introduce this term include a National Statistics Bill, a Physical Planning Bill, a Bill to provide for a Racing Commission, legislation regarding the treatment of juvenile offenders, health and social welfare and a Public Finance Management Bill.
"My Government will re-launch the delayed Peebles Hospital project and in the meantime, will proceed with the completion of the Annex," he announced. A Hospital Board will be in place by mid-2004, with the appropriate legislation. The modernization of the health services on the sister islands will lead to improvements and upgrades to clinics, and the establishment of reliable air and sea emergency medical evacuation arrangements.

Work on the development of a National Health Insurance Scheme has already begun and to address the HIV/AIDS threat, Government will adopt a three-pronged strategy focused on prevention, treatment and education. Government is also exploring the introduction of a national mobile pension scheme to supplement the present Social Security age benefit, and make proposals to synchronize the age of retirement and eligibility for social security.

The Speech from the Throne also addressed the importance of maintaining freedom and democracy and said they will introduce measures to reestablish the preeminence of, and respect for, the Legislative Council as the highest law-making body in the Virgin Islands.

"My Government is committed to fighting corruption, waste and inefficiency in the public sector," the Governor stated. In this light, he mentioned that Government, while having full confidence in the Audit Department would urgently assess the need to retain the services of an external audit team to conduct a complete audit of the finances of the Government.
The long-awaited Integrity in Public Life Bill will be enacted to give effect to section 66C of the Constitution, which requires the declaration and registration of economic interests by Honourable Members and designated public officials.

In acknowledging the great shortage of human resources in the Territory, government said it will introduce measures to build a world-class education system.

"My Government's education agenda will therefore focus on five key components; school modernization; curriculum reform; teacher training; institutional strengthening; and early childhood education," said Governor Macan in the Throne Speech.

He said a review of existing policies regarding festivals, fairs, cultural and historical events will be undertaken.
"In the public service, four million dollars have been budgeted and approved for salary adjustments and my Government will honour this commitment," the Governor read. "Updated Public Service Commission Regulations and General Orders to support the modernization of the service are also in train and will be laid before you."

Turning to the physical environment, he said Government believes strongly that it must manage and protect our natural resources for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
In addition, he said Government believes that every Virgin Islander has the right to decent housing and will therefore develop land and home-ownership.
Plans were also announced to reduce the territory's import food bill and create greater employment and business opportunities by developing agriculture and fishing.

The Speech from the Throne mentioned plans to develop Government's labour and immigration policies, liberalize telecommunications services, complete the airport Runway project, develop modern port facilities at West End, review, in terms of aviation safety and economic viability, the plans for the acquisition and improvement of the Virgin Gorda Airport and improve accessibility to that island by the addition of a reliable and efficient ferry service between Trellis Bay and Virgin Gorda.

"My Government supports the petty contract system and will put policies in place to ensure the development of petty contractors and the equitable and fair distribution of these contracts to small entrepreneurs, so that a fair share of such jobs will be available to as many eligible contractors as possible," Governor Macan delivered.

"As regards maritime matters, my Government will put in place the necessary resources and structures so that the Territory may become a Category 1 Shipping Registry which will enable the registration of larger vessels, including mega yachts," he continued.

Other regulations to come on stream include the Code of Safety for Small Commercial Vessels operating in the Caribbean Sea and the Caribbean Memorandum of Understanding, amendments to the Ports Authority Regulations, 1995, the Evidence Act, Consumer Protection Legislation, to further the modernization of the electoral process, campaign finance legislation to introduce disclosure rules and a Bill of Rights.
"The level of crime in the Territory remains a matter of concern," Governor Macan stated. He said Government would support the measures that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force needs to take to contain criminal activity, but will at the same time work to ensure that best value is being realized from available funds.

The speech also touched on the BVI's relationship with the other Overseas Territories, and its neighbours in the Caribbean and said the BVI will continue to strengthen cooperation in functional areas.