Premier optimistic about making RDA permanent
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said he is committed to making the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) a permanent institution in the BVI.
“It is my intention to have a permanent agency. It’s my intention to move that forward,” Dr Wheatley said during an interview on JTV recently.
The RDA was established in 2018 to manage recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Since then, it has overseen various projects, including rebuilding infrastructure and public facilities across the territory.
Wheatley acknowledged that while the agency has faced some challenges, its project completions highlight its effectiveness. “They have been able to complete quite a number of works. Persons talk, some persons criticise, but what is beyond a shadow of a doubt is when they start a project, generally they get you to completion,” he said.
He added that transitioning the RDA into a permanent agency would involve refining its operations. “We do have some challenges in some areas. I think we have to discuss because every institution can learn from its errors, its mistakes, and do better,” Dr Wheatley said.
The Premier noted that he values the agency’s work ethic. “I like the attitude of the people who work at the agency. I like their mindset,” he said.
Discussions about the RDA’s permanence have been ongoing amid concerns about its sustainability and operational structure. Dr Wheatley indicated that improving the agency’s operations will be part of the process.
“It’s my hope and my wish that through the process of making them permanent, we can perhaps address some of the challenges we’ve noticed and experienced with the agency,” he said.
Although Dr Wheatley did not specify a timeline for the transition, he underscored his commitment to moving the process forward.
The Premier shared that making the RDA permanent would enhance the territory’s capacity to manage critical infrastructure projects more efficiently.
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dont plant seeds for later because you must go.
AYO KILLED PWD
So now the event is over, since my tax monies went to this sh!te show; what’s was the ROI? When will I get an account of my tax dollars on this? Ferry numbers (exclusive of regulars), BVICCHA – wha ayo saying from your members?
I demand hard facts backed up by reliable, auditable evidence based information. GTFOH if you can’t produce those numbers for me. Tourist Board I want data! Auditor General – I must have accountability NOW for my tax dollars!
RDA – well, just another bureaucratic layer of nothingness…much ado about nothing….
Do you ask for this same information for all events sponsored by Government or the Tourist Board? It was a sponsorship, that’s it, that’s all. If you don’t think it helped the economy in any way you can go to the polls and voice your dissatisfaction.