Detention centre included in West End Ferry terminal plans
Minister of Communication and Works Kye Rymer has indicated that the new West End Ferry Terminal will include a detention centre as part of its design.
Speaking in the House of Assembly on Thursday, February 13, Rymer outlined several security and health-related features planned for the facility.
“The new ferry terminal will feature a detention centre to manage individuals who may display erratic behavior or be denied entry into the Territory, as well as separate quarantine areas for both individuals and animals in accordance with health requirements,” he stated.
Rymer also noted that similar discussions are taking place in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands, with St. Thomas exploring ways to enhance security measures at its ferry terminal.
“Our friends in the USVI are also in active discussions to upgrade their facilities, focusing on enhanced security measures including the separation of domestic and international travel and the need for additional holding space,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that these initiatives reflect a regional commitment to improving travel experiences and ensuring passenger safety.
Budget concerns
While speaking in at recent sitting of the House of Assembly, Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn questioned the cost of incorporating this feature into the terminal. However, Rymer stated that he could not provide budget details at the time, as the project was still in its financial planning phase.
His remarks came just days before the Recovery and Development Agency’s (RDA) announcement on Monday that the West End Ferry Terminal Project has been delayed for reassessment. The delay follows the receipt of two bids that far exceeded the estimated budget of fifteen million dollars.
According to the RDA, they received one bid from a joint venture of two Virgin Islands companies and another from a Canadian firm.
“The submissions came in significantly above the allocated budget, at approximately sixty-four million and ninety-four million dollars, respectively,” the agency stated.
It remains unclear whether the planned detention centre and quarantine areas will be included in the final design, as the project undergoes reassessment. The minister has not yet indicated if these features will remain once adjustments are made.
The West End Ferry Terminal has been a highly anticipated project due to previous delays and missed deadlines. Before its destruction in the 2017 hurricanes, the terminal was the busiest seaport in the Virgin Islands, handling over 40 percent of all sea arrivals into the territory.
Its absence has disrupted travel between Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, and the US Virgin Islands, affecting residents and visitors alike.
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Make that make sense.
New ferry terminal and prison in one.
The WE ferry terminal is just fine as a shack. No need for large expensive buildings, docks, detention center, car parks, etc. Spend the money on BVI infrastructure not needless ferry terminals.
Fix the roads first!
You can have a holding cell for male and female but a whole detention center at a port of entry? Naw man.
RDA is not a new body and have experts in their respective fields employed there. Given the projects completed by the RDA, didn’t they know that based off of the design and associated elements, that this selected design was at the very least DOUBLE the estimated construction & fit-out budget?!?
I am dumbfounded that RDA would have allowed this project to go out to tender wasting time and resources and risk of damage to the RDA’s reputation in its current format. Past projects delayed ceres by the RDA would have indicated that the design and budget were not in harmony. If I want to build a four storied building, and my budget only allows for two floors; why would I go about designing and requesting bids knowing I do not have the funds?
This is embarrassing to the RDA, Porte Authority and the parent ministry. Seems like politricks still are alive and doing well in the BVI’s.
Great news for the tourists. Now in addition to the ill treatment by customs and immigration they will also have the opportunity to get put in a cell. BVI love at its best!
Can someone explain why the figures in the illustrations of this ugly out of place monstrosity are all in Arab dress?
And also why the RDAs budget is $15 million and the lowest bid is $63 million?
Scrap this non sense and start again.
Let’s have a building that matches its surroundings and cost $5-10 million which is easily achievable for 12,000 sq feet.
We can’t hold them when they far on land. Is right by the sea. Who we fooling.