2017 in the British Virgin Islands

Hurricane Irma struck the British Virgin Islands with devastating effect on 6 September 2017, one of two Category-5 hurricanes to strike within a fortnight.

2017
in
the BVI

Decades:
See also:

Events from the year 2017 in the British Virgin Islands.

Incumbents

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Events

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January

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  • 9 January 2017 - Bishop John Cline resigns from the BVI Health Services Authority after criticising the Government.[1]
  • 11 January 2017 - Social Security Board signs a contract to build 43 homes as part of a social housing project, the Territory's first.[2]
  • 23 January 2017
    • Former US President Barack Obama visits the British Virgin Islands.[3]
    • BVI Finance appoints a new board of director from the private sector, transitioning from a publicly run body.[4][5]

February

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  • 8 February 2017 - Earl ‘Bob’ Hodge and Robert ‘Tico’ Harrigan are remanded into custody in relation to a long-standing extradition request from the United States.[7]

March

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April

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  • 1 April 2017 - retirement age is increased from 60 to 65.[9]
  • 25 April 2017 - UNICEF publishes a controversial report on the state of the British Virgin Islands.[10][11]

May

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  • 3 May 2017 - new British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation power plant comes online.[12]
  • 8 May 2017 - the Territory records its fifth murder, the highest total since 2008 and second highest ever.[13]

July

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  • 1 July 2017 - registers of beneficial ownership are introduced for British Virgin Islands companies.[14]
  • 18 July 2017 - BVI Airways announced it was laying off all staff as it had exhausted its funds, despite having received a $7 million Government subsidy.[15] This followed tit-for-tat accusations between the Government and the airline.[16][17]

August

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Gus Jaspert was sworn in as the BVI's new Governor.

September

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November

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  • 14 November 2017 - At the third attempt the US government secures a ruling to extradite Earl 'Bob' Hodge and Roberto 'Tico' Harrigan to the US to face drugs charges. The initial extradition request was made in 2012.[27]
  • 22 November 2017 - a double homicide brings the country's tally of murders for the year to 10, the highest total ever in a single calendar year.[28]

December

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  • 19 December 2017 - The Social Security board acquires a 33% shareholding in National Bank of the Virgin Islands.[29] The bank was formerly wholly owned by the Government of the Virgin Islands.

Deaths

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ "John Cline resigns amid massive split in NDP gov't". BVI News. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Social Security signs $11M contract for 43 houses". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Obamas in BVI for vacation". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  4. ^ "BVI Finance gets new board". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  5. ^ "BVI Finance changes name to BVI Finance Ltd". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Fraser replaced – Fahie now opposition leader". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Two wanted in the United States remanded in custody". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Health minister wants marijuana decriminalized". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Retirement Age At 65 To Be Enforced In Public & Private Sectors". Island Sun. 17 April 2017. Archived from the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  10. ^ "UNICEF denounces bias in social services". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  11. ^ "UNICEF report sparks fiery debate in BVI". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  12. ^ "Power project completed, plant getting new name". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  13. ^ "Murder rate relatively low, but highest since 2008". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  14. ^ "BVI's new beneficial ownership regime to take effect on 1 July 2017". Harneys. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  15. ^ "We need money to fly – BVI Airways lays off staff". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  16. ^ "Airline fully regulated, blames gov't for delay". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  17. ^ "Premier fires back at airline: START FLYING NOW!". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  18. ^ "2017 Emancipation Festival Cancelled". Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  19. ^ "REPORT: Company incorporation finally increases". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  20. ^ "I Will Not Be Afraid To Act---Governor Jaspert Sworn-In". BVI Platinum. 22 August 2017.
  21. ^ "'We are still in survival mode': island of Tortola rebuilds after Hurricane Irma". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  22. ^ "Help Us! Cries for assistance after Irma leaves widespread devastation". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  23. ^ "All 4 casualties of Hurricane Irma now identified". BVI News. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  24. ^ "Governor declares State of Emergency; says fatalities reported". BVI News. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  25. ^ "British Virgin Islands to face 155mph winds with Hurricane Maria". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  26. ^ "21 inmates from VI transferred to prison in St Lucia". VINO. 28 September 2017.
  27. ^ "Bob Hodge, Tico Harrigan lose extradition case". BVI News. 15 November 2017.
  28. ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Two Dead Following Shooting Incident". BVI Platinum News. 22 November 2017.
  29. ^ "Social Security Buys 33% Shares Of National Bank". The Island Sun. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2018.