Premier defends new gov’t contracts saying critics have no vision
The site where the proposed national cultural area will be constructed. (Photo by Andre ‘Shadow’ Dawson/BVI News)
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has defended the government’s latest infrastructure contracts, arguing that critics questioning the projects lack the vision needed to see their long-term value for the Virgin Islands.
On March 10, 2026, the government signed two contracts through the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) for design work for two major projects — the reconstruction of Estate House #2, also known as Oleander House, and the development of a National Cultural Arena behind the R.T. O’Neal Administration Complex.
Speaking during the contract signing ceremony, Premier Wheatley acknowledged that some members of the public have questioned the spending on the projects.
“Not everyone has the gift of vision,” Dr Wheatley said, invoking a well-known phrase often quoted by the territory’s first Chief Minister, H. Lavity Stoutt: “Without vision, the people perish. It is important for leaders to have vision. Some persons can only see something after it has been constructed… but there are some unique individuals who can see things before they are there.”
He added that once work begins on the new national arena, sceptics will better understand the value of the investments. “When we start to construct and design the vision, then it will become clear to persons what can be achieved in that space,” the Premier said, noting the arena could help connect tourism with the territory’s cultural industries.
The proposed National Cultural Arena will transition the site behind the administration complex from a temporary event space into a permanent venue equipped with utilities, vendor areas, sanitary facilities, and other infrastructure needed for major public events.
Premier Wheatley said the facility will give Virgin Islanders a dedicated space to celebrate their culture and talents.
“This project is about more than infrastructure. It is about identity. It is about giving Virgin Islanders a dedicated and fit-for-purpose space to celebrate who we are — our music, our creativity, our traditions and our shared story,” he said.
A significant advancement
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith also praised the initiative, describing the projects as a significant advancement for the territory.
“These two projects that have already been signed represent a massive leap forward for our national infrastructure and for strengthening our brand as a premier Caribbean destination,” Hodge-Smith said.
She said the cultural arena in particular would finally provide a permanent home for the territory’s flagship festival celebrations, which have historically required temporary setups at various locations.
“For decades, our emancipation festival… has moved from location to location,” Hodge-Smith said. “By establishing this arena as a permanent home for our festival activities, we are giving our freedom celebrations a dignified, forever home.”
Meanwhile, the restoration of Oleander House — once used as the Chief Minister’s residence — will see the historic property revitalised to serve as an official residence for senior government officials.
Hodge-Smith said the redevelopment will preserve an important part of the territory’s heritage while enhancing the appearance of the capital.
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Does his vision include 24/7 clean water supply? What is the plan for a tsunami evacuation of the cultural arena during Festival? Would you have several thousand people run across Waterfront Dr. and up behind Bougainvillea Clinic? Or will they just wait for a disaster and say nobody could have predicted that?
A vision, without taking into account all the consequences involved, is an irresponsible lack of vision.
what is the premier’s vision except parties and travel, he is not moving our country forward in any meaningful way
The blind talking about vision.
We in the future were we can reach the whole BVI community or majority online. Figure out by polls or online conversations(lives or forums) if we need the cultural arena right now or would prefer proper roads and 24/7 water, which majority would say water and infrastructure upgrades!
So let me try and understand this. The Hon Premier is upset that the public is saying prioritize the completion of the Disaster preparedness building before adding “two election gimmicks” contract signings.
We are doomed if this Governemnt is re-elected!
This guy is really justifying using prime waterfront land for a permanent Festival Village site that will be used 3 or 4 times a year? What happened to Noel Lloyd Park and the newly refurbished market square? Both of these sites have a gazebo set up for entertainment and yet week after week NOTHING IS HAPPENING but yet we will spend $2million to mess up prime land for what? Hon. Wheatley appears to be losing it lately and it seems nobody in his camp is willing to deal with him head on. By the way what happened to the ‘People’s Champ’ Mather? I thought we MATTERED WITH MATHER? Where is he? What is he doing? Why is he so quiet?
MATHER SHUT UP SINCE HE OPEN HIS MOUTH LAST TIME TALKING ABOUT PPL MUST PAY TO FOR IN THE BVI. LET HIM STAY QUIET PLEASE!!! SO DISAPPOINTING IN HIM.
TO WORK*
He’s right! A national entertainment area of the sort is needed. Every other Caribbean island has a venue where huge events can be held…. I’m in agreement with the premier… you guys will thank him later for seeing the vision.
So no plans to rebulid the culture center or museum as he first mentioned before he got elected or is it just going to turn into another parking lot???? just Curious
he has faces to face meetings coming up soon going try trick them long look ppl into putting him back in. Probably going with bout 40 fruit baskets or some crap to sweeten the deal
Government is building two projects which they describe as a leap in the right direction for our culture. What culture? The entire festival changes is a debacle which clearly lets us know that the folks making these assenine decisions actually don’t know what our culture is. Firstly the house in MacNamara was renovated for one Chief Minister by that Chief Minister next door to his personal home. After that it was rented to a lawyer from Harney’s and used as housing for people like a DPP from Trinidad. As water does not run daily in MacNamara I hope this historic building is being built with it’s own cistern. Would not that space have made a fine dormotory for the underpaid and overworked nurses and other medical professionals at Peebles who cannot afford rent in the BVI? Our government is employing medical professionals from all over the World who come here and discover that they are only working to pay rent. Some of them are sleeping in shifts in beds. It’s close to the hospital which would make getting to and from their shifts easier and less expensive since they can walk to work. Where is the Treasury getting the contract money they are going to be paying out to new “advisors” to the Premier? Couldn’t that money be used for raising salaries for the medical professionals who didn’t get raises when the upper echelon got theirs? Why does a Minister who does not have to take advice from anyone because he’s the Minister need so many advisors. I believe it was the “cookie monster” minister who said with his own mouth that he didn’t have to take advice because he was the Minister. He’s been proven correct endlessly. Doing a solid christian service to the people who come here in ignorance would have actually said something positive about our culture. Our festivals and musical events, our so called event tourism, has limped along just fine for years with the spaces we have currently available. Why are we not using the money for the cultural arena to finish the freaking road to East End/Airport first? Or the drunken highway through Sea Cows Bay to West End. Roads on which our precious tourists must travel, never mind the taxpayers. We taxpayers have no expectations any more, but the tourists we pay millions to bring here are slow rolled over all those roads by the bus loads. Oh yeah, we can’t finish those projects because the next stage is asphalt and the asphalt plant still doesn’t work. If they care so much about culture how about renovating the freaking museum and letting at least the one person with a creditable education in and knowledgeable of “our culture” run it. Why don’t we have a real library? Is it because even black people believe that black people don’t read? This place is sickening. The only way to live here without screaming our heads off daily is to just go deaf and dumb, probably don’t read or listen to anything said by politicians.
Nobody says not to build it, 99% of people are saying prime waterfront land that can be utilized for much better returns should NOT be used for another white elephant. There’s lots of government owned flat land available to build the cultural center or whatever you want to call it.
No we have vision. We see you and your cronies hiding what should be public information. I hope the UK comes in tomorrow
This new contract to build a cultural arena is a significant step forward in enhancing the territory’s cultural infrastructure. Such projects would not only promote local arts and culture but can also drive tourism and create economic opportunities.
If this project is coupled with the development of another cruise dock and public tender docking, it could significantly boost cruise tourism while also catering to our vast pleasure and charter boating industry, bringing more visitors to the area and supporting local businesses. Additionally, starting and completing the West End Ferry Terminal and upgrading the Road Town Ferry Terminal would enhance transportation and connectivity, facilitating easier access for both tourists and residents alike.
The completion of the Administration Building would further strengthen the territory’s administrative efficiency and governance.
I’m hoping that the next contract signing would be that of the Airport Expansion and Prospect Reef Development. It will be interesting to see how these projects unfold and the positive impacts they will bring to the Territory. OneBVI