Deputy Governor visits sister islands

Deputy Governor V. Inez Archibald quenches her thirst at a local establishment at White Bay on Jost Van Dyke where residents and visitors gave her a warm welcome. Photo Credit: Mr. Doron Hodge/GIS

Mrs. Archibald was accompanied by Sister Islands Coordinator Mr. Vincent Wheatley who routinely visits the islands and is therefore familiar with most of the projects, plans and other issues that he pointed out to the Deputy Governor.

On Anegada the Deputy Governor met with the District Officer, Ms. Lucia Francis, while visiting the Theodolph Faulkner Administration Building.  She also visited the Anegada Rock Iguana Rehabilitation Project, the library and the Claudia Creque Educational Centre. 

The highlight on Anegada, however, was the presentations by students of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre who welcomed Mrs. Archibald with poetry, song and dance.  Fifty-nine students currently attend the school. 

While on Jost Van Dyke the Deputy Governor met with District Officer Carmen Blyden, staff of Her Majesty’s Customs, the Immigration Department and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.

Deputy Governor V. Inez Archibald views the work of students at the Claudia Creque Educational Centre on Anegada, as former principal Ms. Claudia Creque and current principal Ms. Erma Vanterpool, look on. Photo Credit: Mr. Aldrin Rabsatt/GIS

During the tour at White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, she spoke with residents and tourists about their experiences on the island.  The Deputy Governor said she hopes to spend more time on each island to get a greater appreciation of the challenges public servants may be facing and learn of their recommendations for improving the services they offer.

Lastly, the Deputy Governor visited Virgin Gorda where District Officer Verne Wheatley accompanied her on visits to various buildings.  Mrs. Archibald visited the North Sound Administration building, which is scheduled to be completed by early next year and the Vanterpool Administration building on Millionaire Street.  She also visited the Captain Owen G. Harrigan Visitor Centre and the Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School where the 119 students entertained her with Christmas carols.

Students at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre’s primary and secondary division also welcomed the Deputy Governor.  “You are the boys and girls of today,” she told the students of the secondary division, quoting her Secondary School principal, Mr P. Carlisle Scott, “but you will be the men and women of tomorrow. So you owe yesterday’s generation the best that you can be.  Dream big!”   ~~Adz:Right~~

The Deputy Governor was also delighted to visit centenarian Mrs. Viva George who turned 104 years on Friday and arranged for a bouquet of flowers to be presented to her; and also visited Mrs. Eda Flax, who recently turned 90 years.

 Mrs. Archibald told the Department of Information and Public Relations that her visits to the sister islands were far more involved than she had anticipated and that, at least in one instance, the facilities were superb.  “It is extremely important that I see first-hand what is happening with those public servants on the sister islands to be sensitised to their peculiar needs, and to better assist the Governor in the exercise of his functions with respect to persons holding public offices, under the constitution.”

The Deputy Governor provides support to the Governor on matters related to the public service, disaster management, governance, electoral administration, national security and the administration of justice.