St Helena : St Helena Says Good-by to Financial Secretary Virginia Grace
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 19.12.2009 (Article Archived on 16.01.2010)
Financial Secretary, Virginia Grace, left St Helena on 14 December having spent almost two years on the Island.
Financial Secretary Virginia Grace
Financial Secretary, Virginia Grace, left St Helena on 14 December having spent almost two years on the Island.
The post of Financial Secretary has been advertised and the St Helena Government is now recruiting Virginia’s successor.
Virginia arrived in St Helena on 14 February 2008, replacing the previous Financial Secretary, Linda Clemett. During her time on the Island she worked closely with officials throughout Government, and with Non-Government Organisations and the private sector, as well as with the current and previous Councils.
As Financial Secretary, Virginia served as a member of the Executive and Legislative Councils and provided advice on a range of financial issues affecting the Island. In addition, she took on the difficult role of advising on pricing policy for certain services such as fuel and electricity and water.
Over the last two years, Virginia has led the preparation of the Government’s budget, helping Government departments work towards achieving their targets within the resources available, developing the Government’s approach as part of its Modernisation Programme. With her team in the Finance Department, she has recently taken the lead in preparing St Helena’s submission to the Department For International Development for the next three year aid package.
Throughout 2008 and early 2009, Virginia worked with Councillors on income tax reform, introducing the new Income Tax Ordinance which passed into law earlier this year. She has also been involved in protection against the risks of financial services and money laundering.
Virginia also worked closely with the Postmistress, Beverly Francis, in developing plans for the Post Office, for which the Financial Secretary has overall responsibility.
She was appointed to the Board of Solomon’s shortly after her arrival in St Helena, and has been a director throughout her time on the Island.
Virginia’s input has been extremely useful for the St Helena Government, particularly since she was working on the Island during a busy period when Government was involved in matters like the airport pause, the start of public sector modernisation, the introduction of a new Constitution, the election of a new Council and the start and continuation of various other projects.
The St Helena Government takes this opportunity of thanking Virginia for her valuable contribution over the last two years and of wishing her well for the future.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
17 December 2009
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