Critical Issue! Gov’t to bypass Procurement Act to fix water woes
Works Minister Kye Rymer has announced that the government is now able to bypass provisions of the Procurement Act when purchasing materials needed to address the territory’s deteriorating water infrastructure.
Elected leaders have long criticised the Procurement Act — tightened after the Commission of Inquiry — for creating bottlenecks in the system, despite its intention to bring more transparency to public spending. They argue that the law hampers the government’s ability to deliver timely assistance to the public.
With many residents describing the water crisis as a humanitarian emergency, Rymer said the government has declared the situation a national critical priority, allowing for the usual procurement rules to be set aside as essential materials are sourced from overseas to bring relief.
“As an example, last year we placed an order for [water] materials and, to date, we have not received those materials because of the Procurement Act. Hence we were having some delays in terms of repairs. But with making water a national priority, we’ll fast-track the procurement of goods and hopefully in the next few weeks we’ll have the inventory to start the zonal works to address the leaks,” Rymer explained at a press conference last week.
He said government will use single-source procurement and restricted tendering — methods that bypass open competitive bidding by either selecting one supplier directly or limiting bids to a shortlist of qualified vendors.
He added that the government will draw $8 million from the $100 million loan facility to begin sourcing the necessary supplies. These materials will be used for leak detection and repairs, reservoir upgrades, smart monitoring systems, and community engagement.
International water experts are currently in the territory to assist, but Rymer assured the public that local engineers and experienced professionals from the Water and Sewerage Department are also being engaged to make use of their deep knowledge of the territory’s water systems.
In the meantime, the government said it is developing a temporary water incentive plan to support residents who continue to face disruptions in supply.
It remains unclear how or when residents will begin receiving assistance under this new measure.
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Our mates are getting the contract!
This problem has not been cases by the COI. The politicians further demonstrate why their was a recommendation to bringninnUK direct control. We need to clean out this dirty House of Ass’s. Inaction or secret dirty action is stopping the VI from being the placenta should be. It is ike
Is that you want to avoid any kind of financial oversight. Taps still dry after 20 years ,although the troughs kept brimming for the F&F.
Tall Boy is now trying to compound the problem by carrying news to the governor.
“Elected leaders have long criticized the Procurement Act — tightened after the Commission of Inquiry — for creating bottlenecks in the system, despite its intention to bring more transparency to public spending. They argue that the law hampers the government’s ability to deliver timely assistance to the public.” – The Government created this act and law.
the law needs to srigently and force fully inhibit mimisters and others from abusing their privileged access to large amounts of money, which only invites greater stealing and corruptive actions, illegal secret transcations.
People are tired of seeing the same faces that are doing absoutely nothing for the economic growth of the territory, increased aid for the distressed and wretched seniors and pensioners.
They are tired of viewing their elected leaders, rightly or wrongly, as owners of the governments’ purse, corruption practioners and devoid of all empathy and compassion for those who struggle to survive daily, while they continue to burst out of their suits and expand their belly size.
This guy is a complete waste and continues to get a pass. If I were him I would do the same thing because nobody holds him accountable.
@ baldhead traitor ) yoh worship the notorious drew your hero who snitched on bvilanders to Jaspert / who was playing rodeo games/ bug calling myron a traitor for asking the governor to a real through investigation so the people can know what really happened YO our taxpayers money / we thought it was the wig on your head that’s playing tricks on you ego , but it looks it’s something else in your head like (the white lady ) that has replaced your brains if that’s the case you are frigged / ask ” Dr CSC ” the city SLICKer to perform a transplant before you explode and nasty us up •
This is truly the worst and most incapable Minister in BVI history, absolutely nothing is working under him, as he is too busy listening to gossip and can’t solve one problem in the Ministry he is responsible for.