2006 New Year's Message
Chief Minister Dr. the Honourable D.
Orlando Smith
2006 New Year’s Message
1 January 2006
My fellow BVIslanders, residents, and friends:
It is a pleasure for me to greet you at this time of renewal. 2005 is
behind us. My Government and I join you in heralding the arrival of 2006.
With the arrival of a New Year, we are especially thankful to God for His
divine love and protection. We recognise that it is because of His mercies
and blessings that we see the dawn of a New Year.
On behalf of this Government I extend wishes to you and your family for a
bright and prosperous New Year. Each New Year represents a time of
reflection and renewal.
It is a moment when we must contemplate on the past year and prepare for
the one ahead. This is also a moment when we reflect on our successes so
they could be sustained and even enhanced.
My fellow BVIslanders: we may not be living in a perfect world, but we are
living in an exciting time. Change is the one constant around us. This is
truly a time of unprecedented opportunities and rapid progress globally
and certainly here in the British Virgin Islands.
This fact breathes true meaning into the familiar adage “the sky is the
limit.” Unfortunately we are too often impeded not by external forces
but by our own internal perceptions. Let us all therefore resolve to
always adopt a positive mindset in the New Year in reaching for your
dreams.
My Government remains steadfast in our commitment to stand
shoulder-to-shoulder with you, our people, in making sure that the ideal
framework is laid for your empowerment.
In 2005 we move boldly towards achieving this framework.
Despite our achievements we accept that there is always room for
improvement so rest assured that our work on your behalf will continue
unabated in the New Year.
As you know change is never easy – and a new Government minus change is
merely more of the same.
It is well known that my Government was confronted with its fair share of
challenges in 2005.
Ladies and gentlemen: on each difficult decision that we faced, this
Government stood our ground in achieving what is in the best interest of
you: our people.
In the New Year, we will continue to work in accordance with our mandate
for fiscal responsibility and economic growth. Be assured that our stance
will be maintained in 2006. My Government promises to act in the best
interest of all our people.
Ladies and gentlemen: the New Year represents an opportunity for us to
“turn a new page” and resolve to be better not only as a community but
as families and individuals. I take this occasion to call on families to
mend divisions wherever they might exist and promote common love and
understanding.
The start of this New Year signifies an appropriate moment for us to reach
out to one another in a spirit of togetherness –– at the end of the
day we are all one people.
Our Territory will only be as strong as the family units on which it is
built therefore stronger families will inevitably lead to a stronger
Territory.
I am grateful to the many community leaders and groups who were
instrumental in promoting charity and humanitarian service throughout our
Territory in 2005. My Government and I applaud your efforts and urge you
to continue your good work on behalf of this community in the New Year.
By working together there is no limit to what we can achieve as a
community.
My Government recognises the contribution of our religious leaders who
promote wholesome values and ethics through their Christian teachings and
preaching. As a Christian society we are keen for your works to persist in
the New Year as we demonstrate our gratitude to our Creator for His
blessings.
Ladies and gentlemen: let us renew our commitment to working in unity and
with oneness. Our archipelago is among the most beautiful places on the
face of this earth. It is our inheritance from our Heavenly Father, which
has been passed from generation to generation.
We have come from a time of economic hardship and social deficiency to a
place where our Territory is ranked among the best in Tourism and
Financial Services. It is our inherent duty to work together to ensure
viability for the generations to come.
Our Territory will be stronger when we bridge all divides and move with a
common sense of purpose. We will move forward in one accord knowing that
we have been good stewards of these islands, which have been held in trust
for us through many generations.
On behalf of my Government I am pleased to extend New Years greetings to
everyone. We wish you peace and prosperity in the coming year.
Working together we will continue moving towards a better British Virgin
Islands for all of us. Thank you.
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