ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, December 12th, 2011 – Seventeen persons received certificates of naturalisation as British Overseas Territory Citizens and ten were registered as British Citizens at a joint Naturalisation and British Citizenship ceremony held at Government House last week.
His Excellency the Governor Mr. Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO delivering brief remarks at the ceremony after he distributed the certificates and congratulated the recipients shared, “It is an important ceremony for all of you today and it gives me great pleasure to be a part of it.”
“One of the things the Ministers in London pay attention to and attach high importance is that the British Overseas Territories including the Virgin Islands are a part of a greater British family. Acquiring citizenship or registering as a British Citizen are very important indications of commitment to that greater British family, and our ministers are keen that it should be properly celebrated and today is a celebration,” he said, adding, “I am delighted that the Registrar-General has introduced music to this ceremony because it demonstrates that it is a celebration and that is a joyful occasion.”
The Governor stated, “Some of you have been waiting for a long time for this moment and I am sure you are all glad to be here today and to reach this important milestone.”
“This milestone involves responsibilities as well as opportunities and I would urge you all to take those responsibilities seriously. The step you have taken is an indication to your commitment to your community and your commitment to this Territory,” he exclaimed.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE delivering congratulatory remarks said, “On behalf of my Government and people of this Territory, hearty congratulations.
We share in your loyalty and accomplishments. You made a conscious decision, years ago, to nestle in Nature’s Little Secrets and now you have made another critical decision to permanently integrate into this society, which shows your appreciation for our culture and tradition and who we are as a British Territory and people.”
The Premier added, “As you have now committed yourselves to permanently sharing in the economy, I ask that you maintain a drive of cohesiveness. We are about nation building and each one of your unique strengths can help make a tremendous difference.”
Mrs. Stephanie Benn chaired the ceremony and in her remarks spoke about the importance of leaders. She said, “It is important that you not only be a citizen but become productive citizens, because as you would have noticed our community is lacking for good leadership, and I am not talking about political leaders.
If we want to have good cities or islands we need to have good leaders, as our country is lacking for men and women to get back in their homes and villages, as good role models.” Following the presentation of certificates, the new citizens took an oath of allegiance to the Queen and Pledge of Loyalty to the Virgin Islands.
The event was witnessed by Chairman of the Board of Immigration, Pastor Michael Anthony, Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. Dennis Jennings, Senior Officers in the Civil Registry and Passport Office and family and well wishers of the recipients.
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 while as a result of the British Overseas Territories (BOTs) Act of 2002; British citizenship was extended to all BOTs citizens.
Persons naturalised as BOTs citizens following the enactment of the Act on May 21, 2002, do not automatically become British citizens but are eligible to register as British citizens.
The extension of British citizenship to BOTs citizens was part of the United Kingdom Government’s 1999 White Paper entitled Partnership for Progress and Prosperity, which outlined UK policy in respect of the overseas territories.
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