Premier concerned over pace of DDM building construction
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed concern regarding the slow pace of reconstruction for the new building intended to house the Department of Disaster Management (DDM).
This project is a vital component of the BVI’s disaster preparedness infrastructure.
At a recent press conference, Premier Wheatley expressed dissatisfaction with the current pace and pointed out the implications for the territory’s disaster preparedness.
The Premier also mentioned that there had been issues between the project manager and the contractors that needed resolution. Still, he believes the project is now back on track. “Talks have taken place, and I believe we are on track to complete that building. I can perhaps update at another time the exact completion date,” Wheatley said during the press conference.
Initially funded by a $65 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the project has faced several setbacks. In 2021, local companies were awarded a $9.8 million contract to construct the new headquarters. Despite this, the project has encountered continuous delays and remained in the procurement stage for some time after bids were submitted.
Dr Drexel Glasgow, Director of Projects in the Ministry of Finance, previously cited several factors contributing to the delays, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexities of ensuring all evaluations and clearances from the CDB were met.
The urgency of the project is underscored by the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters in the region. The BVI has faced numerous challenges recently, including hurricanes that have caused extensive damage and highlighted the need for a resilient and functional disaster management system.
The Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the BVI’s governance highlighted some complexities and disputes surrounding disaster management responsibilities. In 2020, elected ministers proposed transferring the DDM’s budget from the Governor’s Office to the Premier’s Office, arguing that it would improve coordination with other government sectors.
However, former governors Jaspert and Rankin objected, emphasising that disaster management involves internal and external security, which constitutionally falls under the Governor’s purview. The governors stressed the need for a collaborative approach between the Governor’s Office and the elected government. The COI suggested revisiting this issue in the Constitutional Review to ensure an efficient and coordinated disaster management system in the BVI.
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Them still turned around and give the same firm {who is building it} the job to breakdown the Cultural Center
The problem got to be the slow pace of money coming in so speed up the pace…..Give them some of the travel money
Eight years after Irma/Maria DDM and Admin building still unfinished. Start third lane o waterfront drive started and apparently scrapped. SCB roadway scraped watching to see if this is going to take months/years to complete. What’s the problem is?
Seems like finishing the Central Administration Building on Wickhams Cay I is highest building priority not the DDM building.
I hate to hear them with this covid19 excuse….Every country faced the same fate but yet still moving forward pass us
Give us control over the cash or we’ll make sure no contract gets completed.
What is wrong with this guy? He is concerned with how much power the governor has, and now he is concerned about the DDM construction. This is all he knows how to do? Be Concerned? He doesn’t know how to get something done? We the people of District 7, our Premier and Representative only knows how to be concerned about us. He doesn’t know how to do anything for us. So look to the only one who can help us GOD.
Althea Scatliffe, Cultural Center, Fisheries, Palm Grove Shopping Center, Admin Complex, Isabella Morris School to name a few
This was one of the first projects started under the CDB loan and it feels like its the only one left. In the meantime the RDA have been delivering projects everywhere. This was the only one not delivered by the RDA and we are still waiting.
Obviously is purely a ceremonial role travel, parties , lunches,speeches and photo opportunities holding small children looking concerned he’s doing such a marvelous job!
I’m concerned about the pace at which this country is improving… its been stagnant for decades
i do see a small elite group improving every year tho…????
Where was this concern for his Music Fest and its epic failure?
Things don’t get done when people don’t get paid, or don’t get paid enough.
The BVI aint a real place.
The amount of new buildings ive seen start up after they started working on the complex and are either complete or damn near complete aint no joke. Joma built two huge structures and are finished. Meridian on their 6th or 7th floor of the new building by wichams cay 2 damn near almost wrapping up their structual works, and government cant finish repair their building
Is who get the contract?
Since when has the Premier been concerned about this building? The only time I heard this building being mentioned by the Premier was when [someone] asked him about it at his press conference last week. Just like the Admin Building, the DDM Building have been progressing at a snail’s pace and by the lack of action from the Premier, he is clearly NOT concerned. Why a it that only Government projects face “set backs”? Other developments continue to happen here and on schedule but only Government can’t seem to get it right… then feign “concern” when asked.
God bless the NDP for getting that CDB loan money.
in the event of a Hurricane theywill be nowhere to be seen and tell us about it after…