Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

'Our people need jobs' | Premier talks plans to boost construction industry

'Our people need jobs' | Premier talks plans to boost construction industry

In an effort to provide much-needed employment opportunities for residents, Premier Andrew Fahie said his administration is giving the construction industry a necessary boost.

During an address to the nation last evening, August 9, he said part of the $40 million grant from the BVI Social Security Board would go towards infrastructural projects.

Fahie mentioned two new projects — the construction of a multipurpose port facility building at Jost Van Dyke and repairs to the Jeffery Caines Sports Arena in The Valley, Virgin Gorda.

He also said the long-overdue East End/Long Look Sewerage Project will now receive funding for its commencement.

In the meantime, he pointed to several ongoing projects such as the $17 million contract for the construction of 43 homes at Joes Hill.

He said many local subcontractors will be given an opportunity to display their skills while helping to build the economy through this project. He also cited other projects such as the current housing recovery and repairs initiative.

These projects include the ongoing repairs to the Ralph T O’Neal Administration Complex in Tortola, repairs to the John E George Administration Building in North Sound in Virgin Gorda, repairs to the Flax Administration Building and the Vanterpool Administration Building in the Valley, Virgin Gorda.

Other ongoing projects include road paving in Anegada and Jost Van Dyke as well as repairs to the Anegada Fire Station, Bregado Flax Education Centre in Virgin Gorda, and resurfacing and repairs to public roads.

Repairs to the Carrot Bay reservoir and Zion Hill reservoirs also form part of that list.

He said there would be many other ongoing construction projects and those that will be “in the near future.”

Boost important


Fahie, who is also the Minister for Finance, said, these construction projects are important.

“Some persons may ask why we are placing so much emphasis on construction and not, for instance, on barbershops, hair salons, and other businesses. The simple reason is that these projects and these funds are a booster shot into the economy,” he said.

“When we apply this booster shot in the construction sector, the territory is able to get some value from the expenditure of this money, and the money will spread into our other sectors which will benefit as well. We need our infrastructural work done, our local businesses need economic activity, and our people need jobs,” Fahie added.

The premier further said this is an opportune time for local contractors to “step up and prove they can deliver the quality goods” and for the BVI to redefine the dynamics of local sectors in favour of Virgin Islanders.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
×