Wednesday, November 4 – Sixty persons received certificates of naturalisation as British Overseas Territory Citizens at a ceremony at Government House yesterday.
His Excellency the Governor Mr. David Pearey distributed the certificates and congratulated the recipients on their new nationality.
“Today is your day, and represents a key milestone in your quest for British citizenship,” the Governor said. “Many of you would have harboured this ambition for years, and I hope and imagine that all of you are feeling some sense of fulfilment in attaining this citizenship status, conferring as it does the right to carry a BVI passport and the right to apply for a British passport.”
The Governor said, “Now in my fourth year as Governor, I have presided over many naturalisation ceremonies. But I always gain a certain level of satisfaction from a personal level in being part of an event where you are all committing yourself loyally to new ties which will stay with you for the rest of your lives.”
The Governor added, “As an outright citizen you will require little reminding of the absolute need of maintaining cohesion in our society and the role that each of us play and the contribution each of us make. A society, which does not share central values and allegiances, will certainly suffer.”
Premier, Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE delivering remarks at the ceremony, congratulated the new citizens.
The Premier said, “Most of you have been living here for some time and some of you have done very well. You have chosen to be naturalised as British Citizens, no one has forced you to be naturalised; you did it on your own free will and accord. You did not have a choice in choosing where you were born but you are privileged to choose where you live and become citizens.”
Registrar General Mrs. Stephanie Benn chaired the ceremony and in her remarks said, “You have taken a courageous step to ensure the future for you and your families. Perhaps each of you has a unique story to tell about how you arrived to our shores. However, whatever the story, today’s naturalisation ceremony would be a milestone in your lifetime.”
Mrs. Benn added, “You came into this building as Kittitians, Dominicans, Jamaicans, Americans and citizens of other nations, but you will leave as British Overseas Territories Citizens. I encourage you to continue the process of helping to build these Virgin Islands.”
Following the presentation of certificates, the new citizens took an Oath of Allegiance to the Queen and Pledge of Loyalty to the Virgin Islands. They also stood at attention during the playing of the National Anthem.
The event was witnessed by Acting Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office, Ms. Arlene Smith, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary/Director of Communications, Premier’s Office Ms. Sandra Ward and Chairman of the Board of Immigration, Pastor Michael Anthony.
Naturalisation is a process under the British Nationality Act of 1981 and the Virgin Islands Constitution Order of 2007 by which persons can become citizens of the Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands News