Still no Cabinet approval for 38 miles of road
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer has lamented the government’s lack of progress on its 38-mile road work initiative.
The plan, which involves the construction of 38 miles of road across the territory, was first announced nearly a year ago, but there has yet to be concrete progress. Speaking in the House of Assembly last Friday, Rymer expressed frustration over the slow pace of governmental processes, noting that the necessary approvals have not been granted despite the plans being in place for some time.
“Up to this date, September 20, I can’t say that Cabinet has approved this 38 miles of road,” Rymer said.
The minister explained that although funding for the project was included in the government’s recent budget, approval is still pending. In April, the Cabinet approved a sum of $1.8 million to begin resurfacing some roads as part of this broader project. However, Rymer noted that it took several months just to get the contract signed.
“From April to September 2, it took us that long to be able to sign a contract to be able to start these roadworks,” Rymer lamented while highlighting the system’s inefficiency.
The roadworks project is expected to significantly improve infrastructure across the islands, which has long been a concern for residents. Rymer acknowledged the deplorable state of many roads, emphasising the need for swift action.
“We constantly talk about the deplorable roads… persons who are responsible, we need to get these things done with some urgency,” he argued.
Rymer also touched on the ongoing efforts by the Public Works Department to maintain the roads, but he stressed that more needed to be done at a faster pace. He pointed to the weather, specifically the frequent rainfalls, as a challenge to maintaining clear roads and managing overgrown vegetation.
The minister’s remarks come as residents across the BVI have become increasingly vocal about the state of the islands’ infrastructure. The delays in roadwork approval have only added to their frustrations, and many are eager to see tangible improvements.
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“ The plan, which involves the construction of 38 miles of road across the territory, was first announced nearly a year ago, but there has yet to be concrete progress. Speaking in the House of Assembly last Friday, Rymer expressed frustration over the slow pace of governmental processes, noting that the necessary approvals have not been granted despite the plans being in place for some time.” This is rich.
Is not Hon Kye Rymer a member of government and part of Cabinet? Hogwash and excuses. Is the road project really construction? It seems more like maintenance. Futhermore,$1.8M budged for road work. That is a joke and not serious about constructing and maintaining and repairing roads to last longer than the first moderately heavy rain. I noted in another blog that ‘actions’ matter more than words and even what is written. Let’s get serious about road design, construction, maintenance and repair. Proper road work cannot occur with PayGo; the BVI has to prudently borrow millions and pursue value for money. My fellow BVI residents to get better roads will require us paying a little more taxes, fees, etc. The BVI is resource poor and has to borrow to meet its needs and the loans have to be paid back with interest .
They waiting for hurricane season to pass. That way we get 6 months use of the roads for $38 million and cronies and family get to pocket most of the cash. In 3 months the water department earthquakes will already have started and 6 month hurricane season will wipe out the $2 million in value that actually gets to the roads. A select fee will have new cars clothes, houses and fat bank accounts. Rinse and repeat. Good plan waiting for end of hurricane season though. 6 months of OK roads will be great.
what i see since living in america is the pave the bottom with asphalt then put concrete on top of it… but ofcourse before putting the asphalt down oil was layed… and the roads last a very long time
@Foreigner, what you are probably speaking about is using an asphalt cement ( if that is the right term) to stabilize the subgrade before laying down the subbase and base. Limestone is also used to stabilize the subgrade. Concrete can be place over an asphalt pavement; it is called whitetopping. Asphalt over concrete is blacktopping.
But yet you’ll supporting whatever the Premier says or do. It’s time to take the Bull by the horn.
There was a plan a year ago, and how much was funded to implement it ? $1.4 million is the figure I seem to recall was recently published for road maintenance. On a $ 450 million GDP, that works out to 0.3% dedicated to infrastructure that 99% of the population uses.
The money you used on the economic zone should have been used towards the roads. You are the minister of communications of works and your views and actions must reflect a territorial view. We need a territorial representative in there if you cannot operate in such a mindset
You saying one thing Rhymer you boss calling us hypocrites ,who voted for this l***tic.When this boi don’t have anything good to why he don’t keep his trap shut.
Shameful disgrace!
That hill at Sophie just get smoothed but the asphalt that dragged up make back more bumps again, that road was fix, now is back.
Until government ministers have full control of the civil service persons will continue to pussyfoot and obstruct progress for political and petty reasons. The system is not structured for serious and decisive action when Civil Servants are responsible to the UK representative and not the local representative this is what Rhymer is probably hinting at but until these guys are willing to stand up and take charge nothing will change cowardice is the BVI’s main problem.
The problem isn’t you all have minor issues and if those minor things can’t be worked out as they’re evidently can, then how you all gonna get the major issues resolved. You all have gotten your pensions so please remove you all selves