Parents and guardians of students attending the Elmore Stoutt High School are being informed that the Education Act 2004 Section 18 and 19 will be fully enforced when school reopens in January 2015.

According to Principal Sandy Underhill, the Act is being enforced as a means to hold the school accountable for providing the information that binds parents and students to the rules.

British Virgin Islands, 22 December, 2014 – Six students from secondary schools and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) received prizes as winners in the 30^th Anniversary International Business Companies Act essay competition last Friday December 19.

The competition was part of activities to mark the 30^th anniversary of the passing of the International Business Companies Act (IBC) 1984, a significant and influential piece of legislation which laid the foundation of the BVI Financial Services Industry.

The public is advised that library cards issued to patrons by the Department of Library Services should not be used as identification cards.

According to Chief Librarian Ms. Suzanne Greenaway, over the past few months there has been an increase in requests for library cards at the Road Town Public Library for use as national identification cards. 

Ms. Greenaway explained, “The library card is restricted to the library services and should be used solely to borrow books or other reading materials.”

The Department of Waste Management is encouraging the community to dispose of waste oil safely at the incinerator in Pockwood Pond.

Waste Officer, Mr. Marquese Maduro said the department is requesting that individuals and businesses that generate significant amounts of waste oil are to bring the oil to Pockwood Pond where it can dispose of safely.

Waste oil is defined as any petroleum-based or synthetic oil such as automotive, cooking oil and other lubricants.

The Ministry of Health and Social development is reporting the lowest cases of new HIV/AIDS infections since 2007.

Coordinator of the National HIV/AIDS & Sexual Health Programme Mrs. Noelene Levons-Clarke reported that so far this year, only three new cases of HIV have been recorded.

Mrs. Levons-Clarke noted that the Territory is seeing a reduction in the number of new cases and the spread of HIV infection. This achievement she attributes to enhanced public awareness and education spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

The Department of Waste Management is inviting the public to take advantage of its wood chipper, a motor-driven machine used to recycle non-processed wood, like tree trunks and barks, reducing it to smaller woodchips called mulch.

According to Waste Officer Mr. Marquese Maduro, mulch is usually spread over the surface of the soil as a covering. Persons can use it in landscaping and beautification of their surroundings. It is ideal for retaining moisture in the soil. Additionally, it helps to prevent soil erosion and serves as a nutrient for plants.

In providing more information to the Territory’s residents on the United States (U.S.) Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA, the Government of the Virgin Islands has invited a FATCA specialist to deliver special presentations to individuals affected by the United States law.

The Government of the Virgin Islands has taken another step towards improving its profile of cooperation in the global landscape.

The Government of the Virgin Islands and the Government of the United States concluded its negotiations On March 6, 2014, and initialled the final text of an Inter-governmental Agreement (IGA) in respect of the US Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), paving the way for its imminent signing and implementation in Territory.

In discussions on the future of off-shore financial centres, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE, presented his insights today at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club during a luncheon meeting hosted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.