“This Government is not afraid to make them because taking care of the people is not about popularity. It is about the long-term prosperity of these islands and fulfilling purpose through our actions when these projects are finished...”

These were the firm words of Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) at the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) Contracts Signing for Little Dix Hill, Slope Stabilisation and Road Rehabilitation Works; Bob’s Gas Station, Slope Stabilisation and Road Rehabilitation Works and Repairs to the Vanterpool Administration Building on Thursday, October 15, 2020.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), along with other Government representatives, members of the RDA and contractors at the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency Contracts Signing for Little Dix Hill, Slope Stabilisation and Road Rehabilitation Works; Bob’s Gas Station, Slope Stabilisation and Road Rehabilitation Works and Repairs to the Vanterpool Administration Building on Thursday, October 15, 2020.

“Our greatest asset is our people’- Premier

The Government has been moving full speed ahead with various infrastructural projects while passing several legislations to bring new revenue to the Territory. Additionally, it has been pushing for Virgin Islanders to occupy high level positions in the public service as well as for contractors to also get fair opportunities for projects.

While many have praised the Government for their foresight and action, some have found ways to criticise, including calling the Government a 'dictatorship'.

But, according to the Premier, his Government will continue to forge ahead with its agenda.

“Our greatest asset is our people and we have to build our people. This is your Government working for you the people.

“When all of this is finished and is said and done we would have ensured that we strengthened the capacity of our people, increased the capacity of our people and strengthen and increased the capacity of our contractors as they not only work in the BVI, but anywhere in the world.”

Fair opportunities for local contractors

Premier Fahie emphasised that all projects were tendered and awarded through a transparent and accountable process; however, to ensure that the local contractors are the ones who will be given the opportunity to bid on these projects, that was the work of Government.

“So we cannot guarantee if you are a contractor in District Nine that you will get the work in District Nine, but what we guaranteed with the CDB loan fund is that once you are a BVI company that you will be the one to get the opportunity to do the work. For that I thank my colleagues for their support in this endeavor because we the people of the Virgin Islands must benefit from the economic boost from these projects.”

‘Trend must continue in private & public sectors’

The Premier remarked that this same trend must continue even in job opportunities in the public sector and private sector.

“We know that we will need some help from the outside to help build our Territory, but we cannot build the Territory without its people and that is the mantra of this Government. We will do it together, on the road towards being more self –reliance.”

The contract for repairs to the Vanterpool Administration Building on Virgin Gorda was awarded to Metro Construction Limited in the amount of $1,410,670.79.

Projects & Contractors

Meanwhile, the contract for the Little Dix Hill slope stabilisation and road rehabilitation works project was awarded to Caribbean Environmental Restoration Ltd to the tune of $407,105.60.

“Safe roads are our number one of our main priories as a Government, and we look forward to the demolition of the existing section of asphalt, construction and reinforced concrete pavement, and installation of guard rails,” Premier Fahie commented.

The contract for the stabilisation and road rehabilitation works of the Bob’s Gas Station slope was also awarded to the Caribbean Environmental Restoration Ltd to the tune of $494,308.10.

The contract for repairs to the Vanterpool Administration Building on Virgin Gorda was awarded to Metro Construction Limited in the amount of $1,410,670.79.

Premier Fahie said he is looking forward to the completion of this project so that public officers can work and provide their valuable customers with a safe place to do business.

He said the project calls for the rehabilitation of the three-story administration building.

“I look forward to seeing the rehabilitation works moving forward swiftly where the contractor will ensure the redesign and new office location for the DMV office, improve security elements in the main lobby, improvements to the inland revenue office, refurbishment of the Immigration Department and the Labour Department office space, reconfigure the Passport Office space, repairs to damages to the interior and exterior walls, ceilings, et cetera, and installation of hurricane shutters and refurbish restrooms.”