69 Naturalised as British Overseas Territory Citizens

The 69 newly-naturalised British Overseas Territory Citizens were photographed following a naturalisation ceremony on Thursday, October 23, 2008, at Government House. (Photo by GIS/Doron Hodge)

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 many years, and I hope and imagine that all of you are feeling some sense of fulfilment on obtaining this status, conferring as it does the right to carry a BVI passport and the right to apply for a British passport.”

The Governor said it has been the goal of his office and the Civil Registry and Passport Office to process applications for naturalisation within a matter of months. “In my view, and in London’s view, once a general entitlement is established, it is absolutely right that it is acted on by those with responsibility for bestowing naturalisation within a reasonable period,” he said.

The Governor also reminded the audience that only persons who are not under immigration control, such as belongers and persons with residency status, are eligible to apply for naturalisation.

Registrar General Mrs. Stephanie Benn said the privileges of British Overseas Territory (BOT) citizenship include eligibility to apply for a US visa waiver and the right to register as a British Citizen.

Newly-naturalised citizens take the Oath of Loyalty to the British Virgin Islands during a naturalisation ceremony on Thursday, October 23, 2008, at Government House. (Photo by GIS/Doron Hodge)

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 senior government officials, including Chief Immigration Officer Mr. Dennis Jennings, Chairman of the Board of Immigration Mrs. Margaret Borde, and Assistant Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office Mrs. Helen Seymour.

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.

The newly naturalised citizens are:   ~~Adz:Right~~
 
Merle Pearlina Adams-Stapleton
Gelzimo Raphique Alexander
Simpson Leone Austrie
Carlos Armando Bell
Cornelius Alpheus Bobb
Lennie Alban Bowens
Marlene Carmella Jolita Bowens
Margo Adelyn Brooks
Edward Everett Byron
Heather Aurene Annieta Byron
Sonia Josefina Peguero Caul
Rosa Othilda Maria Conway
Louis Franchette Cotton
Jona Anthony Daniel
Gladwin Peter Basil David
David Peter Dugdale
Fiona Mary Dugdale
Casandra Anita Eddy
Kingston Horatio Eddy
Gloria Elena Ephraim
Dominga Feliciano—Caines
Ana Teresa Leonard Feliz
Sandra Mayling Ferrier-Gomes
Donald Lawrence Findlay
Vancelyn Florette Gaton
Winston Gaton
Kendrick Anthony Glasgow
Luis Alejandro Jose Bobadilla Gonzalez
Margaret Geneva Hanley
Donald Lafton Hanley
Aurora Henry
Selvin Alphonso Hicks
Ursula Hicks
Wayne Robert Hoyte
Joseph Huggins
Reynolds Wilbert Huggins
Yvette Patricia Huggins
Keren Ailza Industrus
Shandell Edleen Johnson
Roselia James-Dawson
Keith Barret Lewis
Sean Sheldon Vanterpool-Leonard
Devon Recaldo Liburd
Lester Wilson Liburd
Ana Maria Maduro
Andrea Victor Craig Martin
Frederick Augustus Martin
Larriston Kenneth Charles Moses
Margaret Immelda Casilda Moses
Samuel Carlisle Moses
Vincent Valentina Matthew
Kiven Joseph Needham
Elsy Antonia O’Neil Nunez
Avis Abiola Rosemary Osborne
Alson Ezekiel Pont
Martha Cynthia Agusta Primus
Juan Rabsatt
Rajkumaine Ramnanan
Junia Remy-Demming
Anthony Alphonso Richards
Latoria Beverly Kimberly Rogers
David Elton Sheriffe
Yvonne De Carlo Sinatra Sheriffe
Shandell Lee Smith
Emma Yesenia Ramirez Thomas De Payano
Joseph Clive Tyson
Samuel Wattley
Maurice Candell Wollard
Tonya Amanda Shivon Wright