RT O’Neal complex delayed for another year
The long-delayed Ralph T O’Neal Administration Complex will not be ready for use until late 2026, Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer confirmed during a recent update on the project.
Rymer acknowledged the public’s frustration, stressing that his ministry is pressing contractors to keep the project moving.
“I recognise the frustration caused by the extended timeline. We share that frustration and are determined to complete the RTOAC as quickly and responsibly as possible. The government remains committed to delivering a safe, modern, and resilient seat of government, and we continue to work closely with all contractors and stakeholders to accelerate progress,” Rymer stated.
Among the works still underway is the installation of a new elevator in the west atrium by Building Construction Management, now running about a year behind schedule. Mould remediation is also in progress, with Biogerm Solutions contracted to handle basement records. “All basement files have been safely removed; cleaning and restoration of those records will begin within two to three weeks,” Rymer said.
That process is scheduled to finish by November 2025.
Design delays have added to the setbacks. OBM International was tasked with delivering interior and external design packages, but the work has slipped to October 2025. “OBMI is behind the adjusted schedule: designs are now expected in October 2025. That delay has shifted the procurement timetable; tendering will now begin in November 2025, moving the overall project timeline back by approximately two months. OBMI has completed about 70% of the design work, and the Ministry continues to press for timely delivery and quality outputs,” Rymer explained.
The ministry now aims to award contracts in December 2025 and mobilise a contractor by January 2026. Substantial completion is targeted for the last quarter of 2026, with full commissioning planned by mid-2027.
Rymer highlighted the financial burden of the delays.
“Taxpayers are currently incurring over $2 million each year in rents and related costs for ministries and departments housed in temporary facilities — including additional fit-outs and office space requirements that were not originally part of the Complex — expenses that will be avoided once staff return to the RTOAC,” he said.
The minister insisted that his ministry is holding consultants and contractors accountable. “Where contractors or consultants are behind schedule, the Ministry is pursuing practical solutions and enforcing contractual measures as needed to keep the project moving. We understand the public’s desire to see this project completed and are doing everything within our authority to deliver results as quickly and efficiently as possible,” he added.
The Administration Complex, originally damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, has undergone phased restoration since 2019. Completed works include a watertight roof, impact-resistant windows and doors, and major exterior repairs. Despite these advances, full reoccupation is now at least a year later than previously announced, extending the government’s reliance on costly rented offices across the territory.
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Well I have to give family and friends more rental monies from the tax payers for another year.
Bunch of clowns
This prolonged mismanagement is a desecration of the legacy of the Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal. If the government cannot deliver a seat of governance worthy of his name, then it should respectfully remove it from this failed project. Mr. O’Neal’s name deserves more than a mouldy basement and a million-dollar rent bill.
JUST IN TIME FOR ELECTIONS
Watch the play, watch the play.
Final increment balance, brand new shiny building.
Yes so I’ll be reminded exactly how long it took around election!
The building was flawed from the very beginning. It is a text book example of how not to design and locate buildings on an island that is prone to hurricanes.
Mold
https://bvinews.com/govt-extends-rental-contract-with-skelton/
all on the book of the ruling government. skelton skelton group of companies couldn’t tek up money and pay itself.
When will voters of the 5th district realise this guy is just useless, nothing under the Ministry he is responsible for is working, and the district is in shambles, what because a few days he goes and sits at Todman’s bar, or hands out secret contracts to E*** and other cronies, while making Promises and never delivering, but gave WP multiple Million dollar contracts of which he hasn’t completed any. But dare any staff member say this is not the right thing to do he gets his extremely weak PS to attack them, this is what the Virgin Islands is, and they want to push Independance, road delayed by a year a already built building further delayed by years, so the Government can continue to rent from his Mother in law. AKE UP VOTERS, WAKE UP, WE ALL DESERVE BETTER!
Struupeeesssss…pure non sense.. 10 years to repair a building at the cost of building two new ones somewhere else. We’ll sah! What a fiasco.. clown show! At its greatest.
not suprised
only thing that dont get delayed is yall seceret pay raise and greedy bill
anything positive for the country gotta wait years to decades but parties flights grants bank of asia self enrichment schemes etc can done in record timing
small ignorant minortiy will still support these crooks and see no wrong. blissful ignorance or oblivousness
Can any project the government undertakes be done on time without budget overruns?
I cannot recall a single project the government has undertaken that was not delayed or ran over the intial estimated cost, or ended up in claims of corruption or wrongdoing.
Cases in point, the new Beef Island Bridge, the Elmore Stoutt High School wall, and the Pier Park.
Each case there was delay in finishing the project, budget overuns, and questionablwe dealings.
Why is that? Why can’t the government who has the resources to do thing always failing to complete projects on time without budget overruns, and controversy.
This delay adds to a growing list of other projects that went down the same road. Not good.
the crooks and greedy carry on, and the people stay silent as if muzzled. What a shameful lot.
It would have been cheaper and quicker to knock it down and build a new one.
STRUPES!!! How Auntie P going to make any money off that?
Looks like the opening may coincide with the 10-year anniversary of Irmaria. Note how the piece says zero about costs involved, though I seem to recall that more than $ 1 million was spent on fixing the elevator ( in a two story building) a while back. Wonder if it still works…
HA E BEEN SHOWING WHAT THEY ARE FOR YEARS / PEOPLE HAVE BERN BLOGGING ABOUT THEM FOR YEARS EVEN THE COI HAVE EXPOSED THEM AND WE STILL HERE ACTING SUPPRISED / THE KING ONLY GOT MOUTH TO HOLLER OUT RACIST NARRATIVES ABOUT THE WHITE COLONIALIST SLAVE MASTERS AND DRM ISLAND PEOPLE NOW HE CLAUDIE ” HIS EXELENCY ” SEEMS HAVE TO HAVE A COMPETITION ON WHO CAN TALK THE MOST SH*T AND WHO CAN DO THE BEST JOB OF EMBELLISHING IT TO CONVINCE US TO SWALLOW THEIR DUPLICITOUS NARCISSISTIC NARRATIVES.
1. Is this delay designed to create a lucrative side hustle for well-placed landlords?
2. Are the beneficiaries of this delay also the architects of this delay?
3. Are the beneficiaries returning favours?
Something isn’t right. If you as a government have to pressure contractors to get deadlines, then your management skills and the contractors’ work ethics is very poor. Also, the premier stated that the economy is poor because people are not buying locally, lol! This could be one of the reasons as the government is paying over 2 million dollars in rent. Infrastructural management is not a key skill of this government.
Mothing this government has started has finished.
– Paraquita Bay Road.
– Admin Building Renovation.
– A three story elevator taking 4 yrs to complete
– DDM Building.
– West End Ferry Dock; Look like they still in shock from the numbers they received.
– Not one school rebuilt (they good at demolishing)
– Prospect Reef Resort can’t get out of the coming soon phase.
– A 50ft section of road in front the Governors residence.
– Market still waiting on shutters for “security”
And please tell the lady stop blocking up music time on ZBVI with their HOA contribution. Just a bunch of nothing.