Ralph O’Neal Admin Complex to get $4M injection
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has announced that another $4 million was allocated to expedite the Ralph T O’Neal Administration Complex (RTOAC) restoration, now slated for completion in 2025.
Premier Wheatley suggested the funding will help to enhance the building’s functionality.
“The completion of repair works will not only restore the building… but also enhance its functionality and resilience, thereby improving service delivery to the community,” Dr Wheatley said.
The complex, historically housing various government ministries and critical departments, suffered extensive damage during hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Since then, the government has been renting private office spaces to accommodate displaced public servants, incurring significant expenses. In 2018, the Central Statistics Office estimated the government’s annual rent expenditure at approximately $6.4 million, a figure noted in the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report.
Premier Wheatley emphasised the financial benefits of completing the RTOAC repairs, stating that it would reduce the amount spent on rent and allow these funds to be redirected to service other needs. He acknowledged that the restoration process has been protracted, noting in 2022 that the project was taking too long and required acceleration.
The ongoing delays have prompted concerns among lawmakers. Second District Representative Melvin Turnbull expressed frustration over the prolonged unavailability of the complex, highlighting the financial and operational inefficiencies caused by the delay. He argued that the government is “paying monies left, right, centre, up, down, and between in rent” while the building remains unoccupied.
In February 2024, Premier Wheatley informed lawmakers that the government currently spends over $10 million to accommodate public servants at various offices. He estimated that the reopening of the RTOAC could lead to a rent decrease of $2 million. However, he noted that lease payments are fluid, and the decision on which offices will return to the complex has not yet been finalised.
Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn expressed concern about leasing the government’s office spaces earlier this year. Despite $5 million being earmarked for repairs to the complex, this money was instead returned to the treasury without any progress on the project.
The restoration of the complex began in late 2019, with initial efforts focused on debris removal and roof repairs.
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So where is the account on the expenditure of the $11M received from insurance?
Now we are adding another $4M?……..Show me where $11M worth of work took place at the Admin Complex first.
The design of the building, coupled with its location, will continue to be an accident waiting to happen in the event of a hurricane.
Try multiplying that by 5. That place will cost $20mil all in by the time they are finished. They were better off building a new structure.
8 years to repair a simple building where main infrastructure was unscathed!!! The windows/roof were damaged, along with the entire interior. The concrete structure remained intact. Why is it taking 8 years to repair? Do you know how many buildings were built on Tortola since Irma?
The next storm surge from a category 4 or 5+ hurricane eye within 20 miles of the the BVI will flood the CAB and severely damage it again. Maybe then this resurrected Central Administration Building will be removed to become a car park.