New bush-cutting rules delay beautification projects
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer has urged compliance with new bush-cutting procedures that have left contractors fuming and residents outraged at the state of the territory’s roadways.
The Minister acknowledged the public’s frustration over the state of the territory’s roadways and overgrown vegetation, attributing the delays to new bush-cutting procedures.
“Gone are the days when contracts could simply be issued based on… adding someone’s name. The process, as it stands, demands competitive bidding amongst contractors for all projects regardless of the value of the work and we must comply,” Rymer stated.
Rymer blamed these challenges on various issues, including the aftermath of the 2017 hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, repercussions from former Premier Andrew Fahie’s misconduct and arrest, and the stringent requirements set forth by the Commission of Inquiry (COI), which have fundamentally changed governmental operations.
The Works Minister struck a hopeful note while arguing that all is not doom and gloom. He stated that the BVI should and will find ways within the new rules to address issues plaguing the territory.
These new regulations, implemented in response to the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations, have led to delays and a backlog in bush-cutting projects.
Residents have expressed their discontent on social media and through local news outlets, citing safety concerns and the islands’ unkempt appearance.
Despite these challenges, Rymer assured the public that the government is “working tirelessly” to address the territory’s infrastructure woes, including the urgent need for financial investment and improvements to the water supply system.
In addition to bush-cutting delays, the BVI faces a myriad of infrastructure challenges, including the dire state of its roads and an urgent need for investment in its water supply system. These issues have been exacerbated by the 2017 storms, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing implementation of the COI recommendations.
While acknowledging these difficulties, Rymer highlighted recent successes such as the recommissioning of the Burt Point Sewerage Plant and the launch of a solar energy initiative for homeowners.
He also expressed optimism about the future, stating: “We must hold on to hope and continue to work together to build a brighter future for all.”
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yes you politicians and civil servants in the uk public service commission need to find better things to do around the territory. what is going on in the uk public service commission. why not pay a civil servanta public serive to travel around the island to beautify and to take care of the environment that human being have live in?
Perhaps the UK can teach you to write in English as well.
why doesn’t the Minister put the necessary things in place instead of complaining. We know bush needs to cut so put out the tenders in advance or find other creative legal ways to cut the d@@@ bush….we have children for leaders
Total hogwash. I guarantee bush is going to grow in 2025. Don’t wait to get contracts in place. Put out a Request For Proposals now, with a return date of September 1. Review the proposals, choose the winning bidder and get a contract signed by December 1, 2024, with a start date of January 1, 2025. That gives the contractor a full month to hire staff and make other arrangements.
The COI did not cause this problem. This should have been done all along. The COI simply pointed out that nepotism and cronyism are not good governance.
Buy the proper bush cutting equipment. One side of a road in one day. Tractor pulling a side cutting mower.
Nooo thats too easy. lol and then you cant give a lot of 100$ notes out.
I really don’t understand why the government can’t issue bush cutting contracts to keep the country beautified. Is it because in the past some people were always getting and some people were left out in the cold?
I think that these contracts should be ongoing as we need to be keeping the country clean and beautified all year round. So you blame the UK or the COI. But meantime as the country is overgrown with bush and weeds and the roads are deplorable, you all found money (lots of money) to keep a music fest.
So, KYE, do you see why people are disgruntled and have basically lost confidence in the government? It’s no fault of the UK that we find ourselves in this situation. Had it not been for the COI , the residents would have been no wiser as to the nonsense that was going on in the territory.
Has any consideration ever been given to establishing a new unit within PWD dedicated to regular and year-round cleaning and maintenance of these spaces across the entire island and perhaps the territory. And cut out these irregular and overpriced contracts.
What do the PWD actually do?
Why, they collect salaries, is what they do.
This guy could not manage DMV, I am not surprised at his performance. All of these guys are incompetent. Some are simply educated fools
Ain’t now bush growing on the side of our roads and hillsides. It is nothing new so why aren’t we prepared. I took a drive out over the weekend and I can see why cruise ships are considering pulling out of here. I can imagine the amount of catch and keep that graze safari bus passengers when going up Joes Hill, Fort Hill and driving along the countryside roads. What happened to PWD? Why are we still where we are.
heres a thing , why not get the PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT to do the job, you know that government agency that is upposed to do this type of work but all the back handers stopped them. Employ a few more youths into the PWD and start cutting the bush on a daily schedule start from 1 end and when you get to the other send, start again. Gainiful employment and no back handers.
I say —- Stop all the hog wash talk and take pattern off of SKB ( like how we comparing CRUISE. TOURISM )
The 100+ we have up BALO on vacation ; PUT THEM OUT THERE TO CUT THE ROAD SIDE BUSH —— Government giving them ; FREE HOUSING —-FREE MEALS. 3X daily—-DOING LAUNDRY —-ENTERTAINMENT ( tv) ——SECURITY — and ayaa telling me “ DEM IN PRISON “
Can I join with the rest of the ppl and saa THE BVI is NOT A REAL PLACE
Time for this BS to come to an end !! If I’m missing something; SOME ONE please shed some light so I may understand WHAT IT IS TO BE IN. JAIL
All over the Caribbean bush cutting and cleaning of roads are done by the prisoners.
Why cant our prisoners here do the same?
I think the Courts stop the practice of sentencing convicted persons to hard labour for some time now. Without that order you cannot put them out there to cut the roadside unless they volunteer to do it or more shockingly unless you pay them a stipend. This is as a consequence of section 14 of the Constitution which relates to protection from forced labour and some previous court ruling.
No-one should be forced to labour, but those that want to should be given the opportunity and paid a little for that work. Many prisoners would want to get out in the fresh air and be productive.
Put it back how it used to be. The system wasn’t broken. It Broken now because now I can’t get no eat from it.
Contract biddung to cut bush is ridiculous. But some of yall screaming come UK
What happen to the people we had doing it through the rated program?
THERE IS NO PRIDE IN THIS PLACE. WE SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED OF OURSELVES, WHEN STRANGERS HAVE TO TELL US TO CLEAN OF THE PLACE.
YOU INVITED PEOPLE TO YOUR HOUSE AND IT IS NOT CLEAN? THAT IS GOOD.
One of the big problems is that people with property on side of roads will not cut their own vegetation.Why is it necessarily a government issue , everybody get out there and do your own. Have some pride in the Country instead of just waiting for someone to do it for you. Also while we are at it stop throwing garbage everywhere. We have bins to put garbage in. Seems like we are a uncivilized bunch.
No one needs to describe the purpose and function of a Public Works Department of a country. All have an idea.
The Public Works Department of this country had been ineffecive and non productive for over fifty years.
Roads maintainance, sewerage control and treatment, garbage cleaning and all the other infrastructural bodies that make up a public works department responsibility go undone. Why is that when the ddepartment supposedly has some of the highly qualified individuals on payroll?
It is a clear illustration of governmental complacency and lack of foresight, work and pride by those who were given positions.
Even with a new government there will be no change unless a leader is elected that will take charge and make changes from the top down.
People tired of what have bee seeing with each administration.
Things keep on getting instead of improving.
In mature countries the home/land owners are responsible for their property upkeep. For example, in some states/countries you are responsible for clearing the snow in front of your home driveway and sidewalk. If this is not done and someone falls inform of your home you will be sued and fined.
In the BVI, you can do whatever you like. Cistern overflows, water runs down the land onto the roads and destroy the surfaces that we all have to drive on. Trees fall, are overgrown and no penalties for these affecting the roads. PWD has been in a downward spiral for the last 20 + years. No training of staff, no investments in training or development. No investment in proper equipment as they seem to only be able to afford the most expensive reconditioned Chinese junk they can find.
Top down there needs to be a drastic change as this department and ministry has not been delivering the goods for (2) decades!! What is the solution?
This government is a joke
I am tired of hearing excuses.
Imagine, all this overgrown vegetation is hazardous to both citizens and visitors alike. Yet, all we get from Kye is excuses.
Then, there are citizens who have their sewerage constantly running in the public streets and there is no solutions or penalties for things like this.
Fix the problems and stop with your s..t. From the Premier down.
if that fake pastor from CGB should take a little read of your blogg and some of the other bloggers , and come back and APPOLOGISE nto the people of the BVI for insulting their knowledge by saying that ( WE DO NOT HAVE ANY CORRUPTION HERE ) he got to be on something
P W D said they stop cutting bush they move away from that
THIS BRAYING JACKASS FROM ROUND HILL EVERY THING HIS WIFE AND MOTHER IN LAW TELL HIM TO SAY HE DOES A REAL F**T HOLE.
MOE – Minister OF Excuses
Something as simply as cutting bush we can’t get right..
COVID AND HURRICANE IRMA ONLY AFFECTED AND SLOWED PROGRESS IN THE BVI????? HOW COME THE OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS WHO SUFFERED FROM BOTH DELIMAS MOVING FORWARD?????????????
I know they had full time people in Virgin Gorda doing this work 10 years ago. Seems like a constant job (start at one end of the island and by the time you get to the other end, it is time to start over again. Repeat).
Back in the day they cut all day long with a cutlass. That worked FANTASTIC and required just a file to sharpen the tool.
The cutters were all down islanders making $6 and hour. So how are you going to get any cheaper than this???
Get you hand out of the cookie jar and do your job! Cutting brush is not that complicated…and if it is, they you don’t belong in government!