The Government of the Virgin Islands through the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) has signed a contract with Autland Heavy Equipment Co. Ltd for the Long Trench slope stabilisation and road rehabilitation project.

The contract for the sum of $1,122,798.60 was signed on Tuesday, August 10 and will include general site clearance and disposal, demolition of existing sections of reinforced concrete pavement, the construction of reinforced concrete pavement and kerb walls, the construction of two retaining walls and the installation of guard rails.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie said the signing of the contract is Government’s commitment to the people. 

“I am pleased that the RDA, which is an extension of the Premier’s Office, continues to play its role in the execution of projects under the loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). These projects, as we have seen, once started contribute to supporting and simulating the Virgin Islands economy, especially in these crucial times of COVID-19,” the Premier said.

Premier Fahie congratulated the project’s contractor, Autland Heavy Equipment for securing the bid for this contract. “I look forward to seeing this project completed within four months of the start date, and being completed on time and with quality,” he added.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Recovery and Development Agency Anthony McMaster said that it was a pleasure to be part of another contract signing ceremony on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands through the RDA. 

“It is always pleasing to know that the RDA can continue to fulfil the mandate that has been placed on it by the Government of the Virgin Islands with the rebuilding of the Territory following the effects and the damages of Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” Mr. McMaster said.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Dawn Crabbe-Herbert of Autland Heavy Equipment Co. Ltd. said the company was grateful to be a part of the restoration efforts in the Virgin Islands and that they have been working on CDB projects from inception and have benefitted from the capacity building efforts of the RDA and their many trainings.

“We have been able to pass on this benefit to many subcontractors and develop resilience building of our staff and other Virgin Islanders because of these efforts,” she said, adding, “We are grateful to have been selected for the execution of the Long Trench Road Rehabilitation and Slope Stabilisation Project. We are here to continue to develop quality work, on budget and on time to showcase the abilities of Virgin Islanders in executing projects on all levels.”

This is the seventh out of eight, slope stabilisation and road rehabilitation contracts signed by the RDA. Six projects have been substantially completed and are financed by the Government of the Virgin Islands through the Caribbean Development Bank Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Loan.

Procurement of these works was done in accordance with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB’s) Procurement Policies using the selection method of National Competitive Bidding (NCB). 

An Invitation for Bid was published on the Government of the Virgin Islands, Caribbean Development Bank and RDA’s websites as well as in the BVI Beacon Newspaper.  Fourteen (14) contractors requested bid documents but eight (8) bids were received by the submission deadline.

 The Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities and the Recovery and Development Agency continues to carry out various road infrastructural works in the Territory. Residents can follow the Recovery and Development Agency and the Government of the Virgin Islands social media pages for more information.

Notes:

(Photo Credit: GIS/Ronnielle Frazer)

Image Left to Right:  Director of Procurement, Recovery and Development Agency, Mr. John Primo; Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie; Acting CEO, Recovery and Development Agency, Mr. Anthony McMaster; Autland Heavy Equipment Co. Ltd. Founder, Mr. Ottley Crabbe; Managing Director Autland Heavy Equipment Co. Ltd, Mrs. Dawn Crabbe-Herbert; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities, Mr. Ronald Smith-Berkeley  

Audio Clips:

1. Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie;
2. Acting CEO, Recovery and Development Agency, Mr. Anthony McMaster;
3. Managing Director, Autland Heavy Equipment Co. Ltd., Mrs. Dawn Crabbe-Herbert.