Outdated Laws Are Blocking Investment And Economic Growth In The Virgin Islands, Says Governor Bryan

(MENAFN- Caribbean News Global) US VIRGIN ISLANDS - Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is urging the Virgin Islands Legislature to modernise outdated laws that he says are preventing private investment, slowing job creation and keeping the territory from competing in today's fast-moving global economy.

The governor pointed to the legislature's recent refusal to grant a two-year permit extension for the Summer's End project on St John - an investment valued at more than $130 million - as a prime example of how antiquated processes are undermining progress.

“We deserve leaders who understand that laws must evolve with the times. The same Legislature that once wrote these rules has the power to change them. Refusing to do so leaves us stuck in a cycle where private investment, job creation and economic growth are held hostage to outdated laws and outdated thinking,” Governor Bryan said.

The governor noted that the project's permit had already gone through every required review and approval and involved no new changes or modifications.

“What we were dealing with was not a new application or a new project. It was a permit that had already been through every hurdle, every hearing and every approval process,” he said.“There were no changes, no modifications, nothing new to review. All that was required was a two-year extension so that a $130 million private investment in St John can proceed.”

Governor Bryan criticised senate president Milton Potter for defending the outdated system that blocked the extension.

“Once again, senate president Potter has shown that he simply does not understand the urgency of moving the Virgin Islands forward,” he said.“The Legislature continues to apply a process that was created nearly half a century ago to address today's challenges. That is neither progress nor leadership.”

“According to the governor, clinging to procedures designed decades ago is not about transparency but about failing to lead in the modern era.

“The Legislature insists on dragging us through the same outdated, time-consuming procedures written in an era when there was no email, no internet, no artificial intelligence and certainly no appreciation for the pace at which opportunities can be lost in today's world,” he said.“Even worse, the Legislature continues to hide behind 'past practice' and claims of transparency, when in truth this is about a failure to lead for the times and to embrace the tools and speed required to compete in today's global economy.”

The governor warned that unless the territory's laws are updated, Virgin Islanders will continue to pay the price.

“Things are moving faster than ever before. The global economy is not waiting for the Virgin Islands to catch up,” he said.“We need leaders who respond to today's realities with today's tools, and policy that reflects the speed of modern progress. If we continue to govern by rules written for the last century, we will continue to lose the opportunities of this century.”

“The people of the Virgin Islands deserve better,” Governor Bryan concluded.

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