Ben Merrick, director of the overseas territories in the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visited the Virgin Islands last week.
Over the course of three days, Mr. Merrick had a packed schedule of meetings and visits on Tortola, which included discussions with Premier Dr. Orlando Smith, Cabinet, Opposition Leader Andrew Fahie, and financial services industry representatives.
He also reportedly visited several government agencies, including the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the Department of Disaster Management, the BVI Ports Authority, the BVI Airports Authority, and the Recovery and Development Agency, according to a press release issued last week.
He did not, however, hold a press conference with the media.
“I have had the privilege to meet many committed people during my time in the Virgin Islands and have been struck by both the beauty of the territory and the determination and resilience of its people to work towards its reconstruction,” Mr. Merrick said in the press release.
“I am humbled by the commitment of the many public servants who continue to work and live in very difficult conditions whilst they work towards rebuilding the territory.”
‘Expedite recovery’
Ultimately, the visit was intended to allow Mr. Merrick to see the impact of the financial and technical support from the UK after last year’s hurricanes, according to the release.
He also reportedly discussed how the UK’s further offers of grant funding and loan guarantees will be used to support the territory’s recovery and development.
In a press release, Mr. Merrick said the UK is ready to support the VI through the £300 million loan guarantee, and expressed hope for “rapid progress” as the Recovery and Development Agency works to implement the recently passed Recovery to Development Plan.
“There are, though, evidently many challenges which remain, and I have urged the premier and his Cabinet to expedite recovery,” he said.
The director added that he was pleased to see government’s “progress towards transparency and accountability,” including the publication of Cabinet decisions, according to the government press release.
He also backed the premier’s commitment to publishing a ministerial code of conduct before the end of this month.
Lord Tariq Ahmad visit in July Mr. Merrick’s visit follows an earlier visit from Lord Tariq Ahmad, the UK minister for the overseas territories, in July.
During his time on Tortola, Mr. Ahmad stressed the territory’s British identity, an aspect of the VI that’s been under some strain since the UK Parliament passed an act in May requiring the implementation of public registers of company ownership in its overseas territories.
“All of you know this beautiful territory, the British Virgin Islands, and we’re proud to call it the British Virgin Islands,” he said. “They’re part of what defines Britain today. You are part and parcel of our family.”