Road Town, Tortola - Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE has announced plans to hold office hours on Jost Van Dyke one day per month.

Addressing residents there during his annual New Year’s Party, Premier O’Neal said he will travel to the island on either a Thursday or Friday given his commitments on Tortola, the other working days.

“I will give at least one week’s notice so people can come to see me and we can have a chat,” Honourable O’Neal stated.
 
The announcement was met with the approval of those gathered and the Premier added, “I will also tell the other ministers that they too should come to meet with the people of Jost Van Dyke. We need to hear what the people are saying.”

According to the Premier, one of the important traits of a public figure should be humility. “ We have to listen to people bcause every person, no matter who, no matter how big or how small, how rich or how poor can give you something sensible to hold on to. We have to practice more of that in our daily lives and in interfacing with our people,” he stated.
 
Honourable O’Neal underscored the importance of getting the opinions of the people. Referring to the recently conducted review of constituency boundaries, Honourable O’Neal said the time has come for Jost Van Dyke to have its own representative. “The number of people Jost Van Dyke may be small but I believe you need someone who knows the place, the people and the uniqueness of the island.”

He promised to arrange a meeting as soon as possible to allow residents an opportunity to have their voices heard on the subject.
 
It is Government’s vision that the sister islands will enjoy the full benefits of its services and the economic opportunities of sustainable development that contribute to a good quality of life.