VI Gov’t seeking to terminate BVIPA MD; Board Chair to resign- Premier Wheatley - said BVIPA Board Chairman Kelvin E. Hodge has opted to tender his resignation

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- In an update to the territory moments ago, May 11, 2022, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) disclosed that the [British] Virgin Islands Government is seeking to terminate Ms Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard as Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA).

Further, Premier Wheatley said BVIPA Board Chairman Kelvin E. Hodge has indicated he will tender his resignation.

Ms Pickering-Maynard, along with former Premier Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), was arrested by the US Drug Enforcement Administration at a Miami airport on April 28, 2022, on charges of conspiracy to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the US and conspiracy to launder money.

Pickering-Maynard’s son, Kadeem Maynard, was arrested the same day on St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and is being held in Puerto Rico while he awaits transport to Miami to face the same charges.

Pickering to be fired; Hodge to resign

According to Dr Wheatley, the legal and practical issues involved in terminating the appointment of the current Managing Director are being examined and updates in this regard will be forthcoming.

The Premier also said he has been in communication with the Chairman of the Board, who is Mr Kelvin Hodge, and he has indicated that he will tender his resignation.

New Board to be appointed

“The term of the remaining members [of the Board] will expire within days and a new Board of suitably qualified persons will be appointed. This decision was not taken lightly; however, given the remaining concerns about security at the ports after the arrest of managing director Ms Oleanvine Maynard and the details of her activities described in the affidavit filed in US courts, we must refresh the board so its integrity is beyond reproach.”

Dr Wheatley also said the soon-to-be-appointed Board will be tasked with the appointment of an interim Managing Director while the recruitment of a substantive Managing Director is underway.

“I want to reassure you that the ports will continue to operate,” Dr Wheatley stated.