Public Officers Keep Government Moving
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley praised public officers as the engine of government during the Public Service Week Recognition Ceremony on October 9, 2025. He thanked roughly 220 officers for long service milestones and credited the public service with preserving the Territory's self-government through completion of the Governance Reform agenda.
Premier and Minister for Finance Dr Natalio D. Wheatley told public officers they are the ‘‘engine that keeps the machinery of government moving’’ as he addressed the Public Service Week Recognition Ceremony on October 9, 2025. Delivered under the theme 'Celebrating Our People, Strengthening Our Service', the ceremony honoured about 220 officers who reached service milestones of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years.
In remarks recognising the work of public servants across the Territory, the Premier observed that ‘‘From Anegada to Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda to Tortola, your hands and hearts touch every corner of this Territory. You are the ones who ensure that our schools operate, our hospitals provide care, our ports function, our communities stay safe, and our people continue to thrive.’’ Dr Wheatley praised the resilience of public officers in the face of storms and other challenges, saying their daily work constitutes ‘‘nation-building’’ and that the Government and people of the Virgin Islands owe them ‘‘sincere gratitude for your enduring service.
You are the pillars upon which our progress stands.’’ The Premier also highlighted what he called one of the most significant recent achievements of the Virgin Islands Public Service: its role in preserving the Territory's self-government. He credited public officers with completing the demanding Governance Reform agenda and with demonstrating the integrity and capability of the public service to external partners.
According to Dr Wheatley, their efforts prompted the UK Foreign Secretary to begin the process of lifting the Order in Council, a move he said protected over half a century of progress and self-determination. Those remarks underscore the central role of the public service in both the everyday functioning of public life—education, health, ports, public safety—and in safeguarding constitutional and governance milestones that affect the Territory's future.
As the Territory celebrates Public Service Week, the ceremony served both as public recognition of long-serving staff and as a reminder of the continuing partnership between elected leaders and career public officers. For residents across the BVI, the Premier's message emphasised that reliable public services are fundamental to community wellbeing and to the preservation of the Virgin Islands' autonomy and progress.
The recognition event reinforced the Government’s commitment to valuing public servants and acknowledging their contribution to a resilient, well-functioning Territory.
Primary source: VINO