Admin complex likely for July 2025 completion
The Ralph O’Neal Administration Complex is set to open in 2025, with more than three years of repair work done on the building so far.
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer said the project cost was estimated at $29.49 million. However, he told the House of Assembly (HOA) that only $7.08 million has been spent to date.
According to Rymer, the project is on track and the new building will have some 19 office spaces on the upper floors, a functional space for the facilities management department, and two customer service centres.
The estimated construction costs include consultancy fees for engineering, designs and management, mould remediation and file cleaning, elevator replacement and installation, external building repairs, air conditioning system upgrades as well as electrical and plumbing distribution system upgrades.
Rymer said the costs also include provisions for fire sprinklers, smoke detectors, extraction system upgrades, ICT installation, interior office upgrades, basement upgrades, customer service centres, bathroom facilities, furniture procurement, parking lot renovation, and external works.
The Minister told lawmakers that the occupancy plan for the new building is still being finalised, but said it will be presented to Cabinet for approval soon.
He further explained that a new layout for the building emerged with the creation of new ministries after the last general election.
The government building, which houses a number of ministries and departments, was first opened in 1985, but the facility suffered extensive damage during the hurricanes Irma and Maria and has been under repair since 2019.
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pure folly, it shouldn’t have taken this long already much less until 2025 to fix that place, the government just loves renting to their friends to get kickbacks
The building opened in 1995.
What corruption it took longer to repair than when they built it from scratch. What happend to the funds they got from the insurance money where did it go that they are struggling to build it back? There needs to be an investigation.
Kye I am really disappointed that you can be part of something like this. You all ministers are no better than Andrew. VIP and NDP the people are fed up of you no wonder the voter turn out was so low.
This is beyond ridiculous. What could be taking this so long to complete?
Correct – 10 years after the year stated as the move-in date.
LONGER TO REPAIR THAN TO BUILD
DEM GOTTA FEED THEM SUPPORTERS WITH RENT FIRST
Say what? lol
Everything under kye is a failure.
But really look at it. Everything that Kye deals with is a failure. Look at it closely. He is a likeable prison but his work performance is horrible.
This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard all year, smh anyways…
WHEN IS THE ALTHEA SCATLIFFE PRIMARY SCHOOL GOING TO GET REBUILT??????
government building will just wash away again during the next hurricane eye and storm surge that passes through the BVI. Best use for all of the filled in land of Wickhams Cay I is a car park with NO permanent buildings!
A new building could’ve been built in 2yrs. Wow!!
…at least the big commercial landlords will have at least another 10 years of rental income at the very least lmfao! This minister has been an utter failure that he makes Kangaroo Jack/Action Man look like a saint; and that’s near impossible to do!!! This ‘cabinet’ is made up of a$& clowns and wordsmiths that just fluffing the public while they meander along the next 4 years. We all know these people and what they were incapable of before they got where they are (cabinet ministers mind you)! Yet; we abstained from voting, got bought out, voted based off of emotions and are saddled with this hot, steaming and stink pile of garbage we got now. BVI ppl – we invested in the wrong crop and now we reaping what we sow…
$29M??
Did I read that correctly?
Jamaicans say “mi big toe”. And persons here still talking bout million dollar wall and $7M plane. Well this VIP is the real Irma because by time them done it will be billions in damages.
Wellll sah.
Why wait so long wow.
BUNCH OF hog wash from the minister he dont even be on the site the structure of the building was not damage yet they collected 11.5 millions where are those monies glass that was damage has been installed building has been gutted out now for the longest of while elevator put up wrongley works halted now for months what are they trying to do put monies in their friends pocket
All those supporters need to collect their rent money
All I can say is $29 million could have built two of those buildings from scratch with change for two more. Where is the value for money?
Raise it to the ground. Boardwalk and shops. Keep paying the local landlords. You think in 2025 Mrs X et al are going to let gov walk away from the sweet leases and be left with empty buildings?
I doun know what thses local people talking bout.
They know the voted in people who said out right there were going in tostael,thief and plunder.
From the top beginning said soand are doing exactly what they said they would do.
BVI people were warned about this before elections, but they allowed favoritism, business people and guts to stop them from making the right voting decision.
They have to now eat what they purchase.
This “…and two customer service centres.” WTAF – you cant give appalling service with one customer service centre?