$562K contract signed for Iris O’Neal clinic roof repair
Another government project has been signed off as the territory moves closer to election season, this time with more than half a million dollars earmarked to repair longstanding roof problems at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda.
On August 11, the government announced that a $562,100 contract has been signed with Professional Roofing Ltd. to modernise and repair the clinic’s roof, which has been blamed for leaks, service disruptions and other challenges at the facility.
“For quite some time, the roof at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre has been a source of disruption and deep frustration,” the Premier said.
He noted that the leaks became serious enough that government had to activate a field hospital to maintain healthcare services on Virgin Gorda.
“To the people of Virgin Gorda, I apologise for all that you had to endure,” Dr Wheatley said.
The Premier said government deliberately rejected “patchwork repairs” and instead pursued a comprehensive solution aimed at addressing the underlying problems. The project was delayed after government was forced to retender the works, but Wheatley said those hurdles have now been cleared and construction is expected to begin shortly.
The signing of the contract comes as residents and elected officials continue to scrutinise the rollout of government projects ahead of the next general election, which is constitutionally due by 2027.
In recent months, critics have questioned the timing of several infrastructure initiatives, arguing that successive governments have developed a pattern of accelerating visible projects as elections approach. However, government officials have pushed back against such criticisms, maintaining that critical infrastructure works must continue regardless of the political calendar.
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The longstanding roof problems at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda are not all that “longstanding”. The building only completed six years ago!
Rather than “patchwork repairs” and the pursuit of a comprehensive solution aimed at addressing the underlying problems, it would have been better to have ensured that the building had been designed and constructed properly in the first place.
This is the end result of flawed design and shoddy construction.
I believe that RDA/VIDA director was the PM for BVIHSA during the construction… go figure!
Some roof
This is the result of the lowest tender always winning the bid.
What you pay for is what you get.
Aka Trellis Bay waiting center
Seems we need elections every 2 years, as only in election years any work seems to get done!
Watch uncle wuk for VG and ALL of BVI Health. Not a lot of talk and answering critics with words but answring wit ACTION!!
On the eve of an election. Sorry Boo. He’s behind time but let him go ahead. Better late than never to build it, but he is too late for a 3rd term. You guys think we’re fools out here. Gemee gemee fools
where is this company and those doing the work from? Was there no VIrgin Gordians who could do the work???