Premier urges patience for infrastructure changes

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has called on residents to exercise patience as the government implements critical infrastructure changes.

During a recent government interview, the Premier acknowledged the public’s desire for swift changes but emphasised the need to follow proper procedures.

Responding to concerns about delays in infrastructure projects funded by a $100 million loan, Dr Wheatley pointed to the need for proper planning and procurement processes. He noted that while some funds were allocated for the 2024 budget year, most projects would be executed in 2025.

“As a mature people, we realise that everything requires a process. It doesn’t mean that we’re satisfied with the pace of how things go right now. We want things to happen at a much quicker pace,” he expressed.

More restricted tendering

With a recent Cabinet policy that will raise the value of a major contract from $100,000 to $250,000, Dr Wheatley noted that many more contracts would be executed through restricted tendering versus going through the open procurement process.

“That is good news as it pertains to getting more work done in a more efficient manner. We’ve been working on our own processes, ensuring that we get procurement done much more quickly,” he stated.

According to the Premier, procurement was generally not done until monies were budgeted for a project. “My instructions have been, if we know we’re going to commit to doing a project, we have an infrastructural plan over the next three years, and we have something in that plan that we know we’re going to do. Go ahead and tender it,” he said.

“These things are being done to assist us in improving the pace of these projects so we can execute these projects more efficiently and more effectively,” he added.

The Premier expressed that his government is not immune from criticism and has been responsive to changes requested by the public so that they can become the beneficiaries of improved efficiency in government.

“We reflect all the time on how we can do things better and we make adjustments so that we can get things done in a better way,” Premier Wheatley said. “I believe that we are much more equipped now given our knowledge of the procurement processes, given some of the adjustments we’re making to be able to deliver more efficiently and more effectively.”