BVI News

RT O’Neal Admin Complex taking too long – Turnbull

Second District Representative Melvin Turnbull expressed concern over the prolonged unavailability of the Ralph T O’Neal Administrative Complex.

The Complex, which once served as a central hub for government operations, was first opened in 1985. However, the facility suffered extensive damage during the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria and has been under repair since 2019.

The displacement forced various government departments to operate from temporary locations, complicating public access to services and increasing operational costs.

Turnbull said initial repairs should have taken just two years but pointed out that the government is now seeking an additional two years for some departments.

He highlighted the financial and operational inefficiencies caused by the delay during a recent House of Assembly (HOA) sitting. “We are paying monies left, right, centre, up, down, and between in rent [and] we have a building there unoccupied,” he argued while stressing the urgency of returning government operations to their designated premises.

“It is taking much longer than I believe is necessary for us to occupy a space that belongs to us so that the government services and the bodies can operate and be able to provide adequate service to the people of the Virgin Islands from one central location,” he argued.

Turnbull’s concerns were echoed previously by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley and other lawmakers.

Late last year, lawmakers heard that the Complex was set to open in 2025, with more than three years of repair work done on the building at that time.

Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer estimated the project cost at $29.49 million but told the HOA that only $7.08 million had been spent to date.

According to Rymer, the project is on track, and the new building will have 19 office spaces on the upper floors, a functional space for the facilities management department, and two customer service centres.

 

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15 Comments

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  1. BuzzBvi says:

    Ha,ha. You only just noticed. Are you the only connected person not benefitting by renting Gov your property. That ia the reason it taking so long. Friends and relatives and Skelton doing fine.

    Like 19
  2. WEW says:

    Well let’s take a look at who is benefiting by the government leasing office space. Big name politicians and families. So… why would they want to finish the administration building ??? UK now

    Like 23
  3. The Plan says:

    The UK will run the BVI from this empty building from this September once the order in council suspends the BVI constitution. At the time all the rental offices will be closed and those civil servants relieved of duty indefinitely.

    Like 16
    Dislike 3
  4. YES TO UK says:

    @The Plan I wish a million times you are right on this, something needs to be done.

    Like 14
  5. Resident says:

    if they fix it how would they rent all their friends and cronies buildings and get kickbacks

    Like 12
  6. MITCH says:

    hey wah gine on Bro ? So U Finally RESURFACED you and your master SKELIE Created the IMPLOSION in the NDP and still could not UNITE and work TOGETHER as real human beings . XENOPHOBIA is in control of ya’ll petty MINDS / NOW LOOK AT WHO YOU ALL HAVE RUNNING THE COUNTRY , how do you guys live with yourselves with all this hatred , envy and hypocrisy inside of you all ? ? ?

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  7. no intention says:

    Buildings have been built from the ground up since September 2017 and government is the major tenant. If they wanted the Admin Complex to be completed they would have moved ahead long time. This place too dirty

    Like 15
  8. help help fraser says:

    SOMETHING IS FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG WITH THAT PROJECT -THE PEOPLE NEED A BIT MORE TRANSPARENCY REGARDING THAT PARTICULAR PROJECTS .WE LIVE IN 2024 -A WHOLE CITY CN GO UP IN 2 YEARS COME ON GUYS!!

  9. WHAT A SHAME says:

    THAT BUILDING TOOK APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS TO BUILD BUT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL TAKE 10 YEARS TO REBUILD

  10. @what a shame says:

    and will cost a fortune with a 1 Million Dollar elevator.

  11. SET A THIEVES says:

    Hmm it will finish when Colin finish he buildings in Port Purcell, just watch and see. He start that project since getting the project to do the complex and people watch how since project up there going compared to the complex. You all do the math’s and tell me if something not wrong with that PICTURE

  12. MOLD says:

    My understanding is that the basement of the building is infested with MOLD and the entire building is a safety hazard. The outside may look complete but the inside is a hazard. Who would want to work in the building that will make them sick?

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