Works Ministry snatches lion’s share of 2026 budget
The Ministry of Communications and Works is set to receive the lion’s share of spending in the BVI’s 2026 budget, reflecting the Wheatley government’s focus on tackling long-standing infrastructure challenges across the territory.
According to figures presented by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Natalio Wheatley, the ministry will receive approximately $101.3 million — the largest allocation of any ministry — as the government moves to address deteriorating roads, persistent water shortages, and other critical public works that have frustrated residents for years.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development follows closely with $87.6 million, while the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports is slated to receive $76.2 million. These allocations point to a concerted effort to strengthen essential public services, particularly after months of community complaints about healthcare challenges and overcrowded schools. The 2026 spending plan seeks to improve access to healthcare and expand educational infrastructure, with the government promising upgrades to clinics, hospitals, and school facilities, as well as investments in technology and teacher development.
Overall, the 2026 budget totals a record $550.6 million — up sharply from the roughly $407.9 million in total revenue for 2025.
In addition to funding infrastructure upgrades, the 2026 budget also aims to address concerns about pension payouts for government retirees. About $69.7 million of the national budget has been allocated to cover non-ministerial obligations, including pensions, debt servicing, and statutory contributions. This funding is intended to meet the government’s obligations to retired public officers, settle debt repayments, and maintain key financial reserves.
The renewed focus on pensions comes amid growing public concern about the daily hardships faced by retirees and recent backlash over the prioritisation of pay increases for legislators at the expense of this group.
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Kye is the worst works minister the country ever had so this money will make no difference. Nothing under this man is going good. He is a waste of time
It is often easy to criticize and express opinions from the sidelines. Yet, meaningful progress requires more than commentary. It demands resources, planning and patience. No project can move forward without the necessary financial support.
In the Virgin Islands (British), there appears to be a growing tendency to focus on the negative. When funds were not yet allocated, the criticism was that “nothing is being done.” Now that the funds have been secured to address our aging infrastructure, the complaints continue. We must ask ourselves are we truly interested in progress, or are we more comfortable finding fault?
Our infrastructure is decades old and in urgent need of modernization. The Ministry can not and should not, rush into projects without due diligence. Every initiative requires proper assessments, feasibility studies and a thorough pre-construction phase that includes detailed designs, cost estimates and implementation plans. Projects that begin in haste, without sound planning, are destined to fail and that would only set us further back.
The Minister has openly acknowledged the existing infrastructure crisis. These priorities are reflected in the budget, demonstrating a tangible commitment to improvement.
Progress is underway. What we need now is collective patience and support not cynicism. Let us work together to build the Virgin Islands (British) we all deserve, rather than tearing down every effort made to move us forward.
And in another 8 years time can we criticise then?
You do realise another 8 years will have gone by without accounts, without an admin complex, without schools being built, with Lesmore Smith funding Health services, with poor roads and Northam struggling to finish the Hodges Creek section, an incinerator part still about to be ordered, a plan for the West End Ferry Dock to be decided, another RFP for Prospect Reef about to be issued, public still waiting to see the airport report while the airport is closed and there is a big hole in the ground a big hole in our finances, Ashley Ritter sitting in another big house on the hill while we drive on 1 inch thick $500,000 worth of tarmac between West End and Road Town, and we keep renewing the Romney rental contracts and now have 32 Ministers and a new second House with 15 more second level Ministers on the payroll.
Not sure we can wait another 8 years to see the progres before seeing there is no progress expect the exponential rise in Ministers and their salaries.
Wow !! So much money allocated and watch how nothing will be done !! Incomplete road work projects all over this little island !! Pathetic !
Jeremy was a waste of time he bring down pwd
Hope Kyle keep them Pwd girl off the road J* out on the road every day with men
Scrape and dig up the left 11 month and counting. What’s the plan? Where’s the planning? Is there any for major or minor roads? Do they have a schedule for start and finish? 3-6mths 9-12mths? Asking for all the road users.
J* Pwd work ministry look in that Pwd girls that all on the road the Spanish girl work Pwd always on the road with in bars
J* the Spanish girl work Pwd hope work keep that Spanish girl off the road in the bars with men
Kye rymer better check on Pwd the Spanish girl and the guyana boy leaving work the be with each other