Naysayers! Rymer rejects calls to rethink $100M loan spending
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer has dismissed suggestions that the Virgin Islands government should redirect some of its $100 million loan from road infrastructure projects to revenue-generating ventures.
The issue arose after commentator Claude Skelton Cline argued on his Honestly Speaking radio programme that the government should reconsider how it allocates the borrowed funds, particularly those earmarked for road rehabilitation.
While acknowledging that roads across the territory require significant repairs, Skelton Cline questioned whether such investments would generate sufficient returns to help repay the loan.
“Roads don’t produce no money. Roads don’t give you no revenue,” Skelton Cline said. “Maybe government, maybe people of Virgin Islands, we need to repurpose some of the funding for this loan to invest in entities that are revenue generating, such as our ports, airports, western seaport — things that’re going to make money back for us.”
He argued that the territory should be “nimble enough to recalibrate, rethink, remap what we’re doing,” while warning about the long-term implications of borrowing for projects that do not directly generate income.
However, Rymer rejected that position during an interview with ZBVI News, insisting that road infrastructure remains a critical priority for the territory.
“I wouldn’t agree with that because, you know, roads are a way that you get around. That is something in any modern country… you want to make sure you have good roads,” Rymer stated.
The minister said criticism would arise regardless of the government’s decisions.
“There would always be some naysayers. You should do this, or you shouldn’t do this. When you don’t do it, then there’s a cry that, you know, you erred, or you neglected to do certain things,” Rymer stated.
Rymer said the government remains focused on improving the territory’s infrastructure and pointed to ongoing road rehabilitation efforts funded through the loan programme.
“We’re focusing on the infrastructure. We know the challenges that we face,” he said. “We were able to purchase an asphalt plant. We know we had our challenges from the onset, but right now we are moving in terms of utilising the plant.”
The minister added that the asphalt plant is currently being used to carry out remedial road works throughout the territory.
The debate comes as the government advances several projects under the $100 million financing package approved to address longstanding infrastructure deficiencies. Among the major initiatives are road repairs, drainage improvements, and other public works projects that officials say are intended to improve transportation, safety, and resilience across the Virgin Islands.
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tourist see the good roads, esp. the low value cruise folks, and their 500,000 numbers go back to states and say ” BVI look nice” then we get tourists. also, a $400m+ budget on 60 sq miles of country, has no fkn excuse not to produce good roads. we dont pay enough on brakes and tires?
Government Projects cover the island Joe’s hill housing, money gone no buyers , Hurricane seasons here we’ve got a incomplete concrete box for DDM, Sea cows bay looks like a kiddies sand box amateurs dumping pipes into unfit trenches with laughable but lethal traffic control. Government has committed to these projects with little or no oversight or control. We can you see the $100 million has already been spent government just don’t know it yet ,they’ve broke it we the tax payer are going to have to pay for a lot of badly bodged half finished projects that nobody is happy with and doubtless will require millions more trying but failing to be put right. That’s before the west end ferry terminal or airport fiascos even start . Who needs roads maybe the ferry terminal & Airport.
The first contractor f**ked up the SCB road, now they have to pay another contractor millions more to redo the work. It’s a never ending circle. VIP, NDP, PLM, All13, All female, all of them mds are the same. that’s why me nah voting fi nun a dem. until we et a report on how much the small road from Hodge’s creek to Paraquita bay has cost to date!!
Cant we walk and chew at the same time? Our infrastructure needs massive improvement. Not just roads that Kye talking about. Gut systems, sewerage, water distribution, public lighting. But like CSC saying, we also now find ourselves in a position where we have to look at inflationary prices and cost of living sky rocketing and see where we can ease the immediate burden of our people. Fuel and food subsidies. How can we develop a 3rd economic pillar? Can we do a quick relook at the 100m to see where a portion can be used to stimulate the economy especially during the slow tourism period and while prices are through the roof? Yes the construction guys will make some money from the roads but since most is being paved with asphalt then only Ashley R will make money. Do some in concrete so more contractors can benefit and the economy gets stimulated. Stop rejecting everyting the public suggests acting like only you all elected officials know everything and we dont know anything.
There is nothing wrong with taking the opinions of others. Everyone can’t be wrong. Persons who are APART OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE have voiced their opinions to then be given such a negative connotation like “Naysayers.”???? All aspects should be treated with equal attention. One should not be more than the other. With this, going forward one aspect isn’t bettered singly. Yes, things do take time but with this rate slow progress is no progress. How long you and your team has had us all expecting results???? Every aspect should have been considered and progressively leaning towards completion.
Me. Why the road from HogHeaven thru Nail Bay close now for months. Butch, can’t come and tell us shit. This is very anger causing when you have visitors/family over only to be by Dale you can’t go that way
He have a bunch of expat ppl there illegally working that don’t know how the read a pwd drawing I heard so it’s always a delay he giving all the work to the red devil up vg with the dirt pit. U didn’t see the dude that live next to it post on Facebook calling out the useless rep on vg for help? I also heard the rep sold out f* v* for millions cause them didn’t have money to fix it.
“Roads don’t produce no money”. Yeah that’s enough internet for me today. Dumbest thing I’ve heard in awhile.
Says the man who wasted our millions himself! Thanks preacher now go sit down.
Rhymer was to come to us nearly ever since we been having water issues be cause of the seaweed hampering the plant producción, he promised two weeks for a report up to now nearly three years, thanks for the goodness of the plant manager advising us not to drink, Cook with It. I’m stuck buying water by gallina/cases weekly, now we Are back to have water off every night and the World part seniorio Vincent can’t be heard from Hell
“Road don’t produce no money”. Utter shame
Foolish.
Sir you’re not speaking like you want to take action nor a handsome man.