Gov’t contracts not awarded based on the island you live
Ninth District Representative Vincent Wheatley is the latest government member to address the growing opinion that government contracts should be awarded to contractors living on the island where the project is being done.
Premier Andrew Fahie and leaders of the Recovery & Development Agency (RDA) have been addressing this concern at recent contract signing events, explaining to contractors and residents that where one resides cannot be the basis on which contracts are awarded.
Speaking on February 16 at a contract signing ceremony on Anegada, Minister Wheatley said members of the public have queried why the contract to build the Anegada Administration Building and other facilities wasn’t awarded to an Anegadian.
“There’s some talk going around about ‘how could I let a Tortola contractor go to Anegada and win a contract?’ These contracts are done in a fair and transparent manner and every qualified contractor; they’re allowed to bid on all these jobs, not only Anegada but Virgin Gorda and Tortola. Anywhere there’s a contract with the RDA, all qualified contractors are allowed to bid,” Wheatley explained.
Some contractors not qualified
Wheatley also urged contractors to pursue courses with the RDA that will equip them with the skills to successfully bid on contracts.
“I must thank the RDA for making the courses available to all sister islands. There are a lot more qualified now than before the hurricanes. As a matter of fact, an Anegadian won two contracts on Tortola! Do you want me to stop that too? No, it’s open to everybody. Once you qualify, bid on these contracts. There’s no limitation to who can bid but you must be qualified under the RDA. And if you aren’t qualified, call Mr Anthony McMaster. He’ll make sure you get the courses necessary,” Wheatley explained.
Anthony McMaster, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the RDA concurred with Wheatley and urged contractors to contact the RDA to learn how to develop proper contract tenders.
“If you put in the work and the effort, you will reap the rewards,” McMaster said.
Recently, Premier Fahie reiterated that his government revised the Recovery & Development Plan to make more contracts available to locals. But he warned that the government cannot decide which Virgin Islander gets the contract.
“I want to say that is one of the areas that your government ensured that more local contractors have an opportunity. We could not decide who would get it but we made sure that somebody out of the Virgin Islands would get it,” he added.
Statistics from the RDA shows that local contractors have managed to secure roughly 129 of the 144 contracts awarded by the agency.
The combined total of these contracts values more than $20 million.
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The more Vincent opens his mouth the more senseless you know he really is. Most of the development projects happen on Tortola which is the main island. Are you suggesting that Jost Van Dyke, Anegada and Virgin Gorda contractors should sit down and wait until a project comes every 6 months to make some money on their island? Because based on what you are saying then only Tortola contractors will do Tortola projects. It is this old style of politics that has the place messed up like it is. We are all BVIslanders and we should be able to work anywhere in the BVI – on any island and in any district. Is people like you who create all these divides that we have in the place. We should be breaking down barriers not building them up.
Your time is up. You are not ready for leadership at this level. It’s obvious in your thinking or lack thereof.
YOU AIN READ AH TING HERE!!
You obviously didn’t read the article properly…
the Administration have been “explaining to contractors and residents that where one resides cannot be the basis on which contracts are awarded”.
Lol Jay-z was right when he said even a garbage can gets a steak. Stupid person comments and find at least 5 other idiots to like the stupid comment. Some people want to be negative towards government so bad they just jump to the comments spewing their preconceived rubbish without even reading. The commenter should apologize to Vincent and everyone that took the time to read that fake news.
You a real joker fuh true sah!! Which part of all “QUALIFIED” contractors are allowed to bid and there’s no limitation to who can bid but you must be qualified under the RDA, you ain’t understand?! Lord, send help for this joker please!!
Lol, what can I do but put a smile on my wrinkle face. This minister gets ut wrong so often that even when he is right without understanding they say he wrong. But one thing I agree on with joker is that his time is up.
Hey Vicenzio
Perhaps the most important part is what quality a company delivers. But we hand out contracts and celebrate these contract and then never review what the result actually was.
The COI GOT NUFF OF YOU RUNNING SCARED. THE COI GOT SOME HEAVY DIRT ON NUF OF YOU ALL PAST AND PRESENT. HEY, IF YOU GOT TO GO JAIL THEN SO BE IT. IF THE UK TAKE OVER FOR A WHILE, SO BE IT. WE WILL BE PUNISHED FOR WHAT WE ALL KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WE TURN A F***ING BLIND EYE. TAKE THE DAMN A**WHIPPING AND KEEP IT MOVING.YES, WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR A**’ES WHIP BIG TIME. TO LATE TO CRY A F***ING RIVER.
The horse is already out the gate. Mr. Minister you were the very culprit who was trying to instill that in the beneficiaries of the housing repair program. They choose their contractors and you and others push them to choose different contractors.
Bread has been taken out of my mouth now on two occasions but God don’t wear no pyjamas.
But evil cats wear pajamas
but it was given to a VIP crony, that is who was awarded the contract on Anegada, this is why the RDA was not supposed to be run by a VIP nominated local, for this very reason.
YOUR JIG IS UP VIP TO THE P P.
The RDA and Govt full of s**t. They give to who they want and to the same ones all the time. God sees and knows.
@ VI Born. If you have the facts I would encourage you to take the matter to the COI the same way every one else is building a file with their documents.
This country and its successive governments have been operating like a runaway train, mowing down every thing and everyone in its path but a new conductor has stepped on board. Lets see if he can stop it before we are all reduced to ashes.
Duuuh, we know that. Contracts are definitely awarded based on who you voted for. You voted for VIP, then you can have all the contracts you want.
If you didn’t get one yet, be patient. It is soon coming your way. And there was this talk about the lil man. No need to explain, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.