STATEMENT BY MINISTER FOR TRANSPORTATION, WORKS AND UTILITIES
HONOURABLE KYE RYMER
DURING THE SEVENTH SITTING OF THE FIRST SESSION
OF THE FOURTH HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 17^th October, 2019

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here today and to announce that restoration work on the Central Administration Complex has indeed commenced.

For the past two years, since the Complex was damaged by Hurricane Irma and then Maria, the restoration of this facility has been in virtual suspended animation.

Just to recap briefly, some of the departments and services that were initially housed at the Complex were relocated to other accommodation, mainly around the periphery of Road Town. Gradually, a few of the Public Officers and departments were returned to the complex where temporary work has been ongoing to improve the comfort level of the workers and to make the building more fit for receiving persons. But Mr. Speaker, despite this, the conditions still remained make-shift and has been constantly deteriorating over the period.

Our Public Officers and the public whom they serve have been very uncomfortable in the facility, and I want to thank them for their patience, understanding, and cooperation.

Mr. Speaker, on the road to Government, this Administration, pledged to expedite the recovery and rebuilding agenda, and to prioritise the rehabilitation of the Central Administration Complex. Today, your Government is keeping another promise to our people. Our word is our bond. We are delivering on the mandate entrusted to us and we are just getting warmed up.

Early last month, following a decision of Cabinet, Deputy Governor David Archer Jr. handed over project management responsibility to me as Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities. Again, I want to publicly thank the Deputy Governor and his team for completing their part of the project planning process and handing over, so that my Ministry and I can now run our leg of this relay race and implement the project.

Mr. Speaker, the contractors for the repairs to the roof specifically to address sealing the concrete base of the roof and reinstalling the sky lighting has been selected. These contracts have been awarded to STO, with local affiliation Mr. Dion Stoutt and Wallans Skylight, which does not have local affiliation, respectively. Once no setbacks are encountered, we hope to have the roofing work done around the end of this year.

The contractors have begun mobilisation and have started to work on the site. Materials are being sourced and some has actually started arriving on island. Removal of the membrane of the roof for the repairs is scheduled to start any day now, and assessments are being conducted on the condition of the roof.

Further, the tender for the replacing of the windows, frames, and doors of the Administration Complex is in the public domain and we expect to complete the selection process of the winning bidder also by years’ end. It is my hope, and that of your Government, that we will see a vivid interest from members of the local construction industry with respect to this tender because we believe they have the capacity to deliver and the local contractors in the construction industry and developing a reputation for delivering quality work as we saw in projects such as the L. Adorothy Turnbull building at the Elmore Stoutt High School, refurbishment of the Clarence Thomas Building and reconstruction of the Enis Adams Primary School.

The third-party consultant selected to manage the Rehabilitation of the Central Administration Building project is OBMI, this company will work jointly with Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities to manage the execution of this project to completion.

Mr. Speaker, I will give a more detailed update on the progress of the Central Administration Complex as the project advances. 

Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Governor’s Office has been working on securing appropriate accommodation for the Public Officers and staff who have been based at the Central Administration Complex since the hurricanes. Relocation is necessary because as we progress with the repairs, the facility will not be conducive to the safety of persons nor to concentration on work. As we progress with this exercise, I will provide the appropriate updates to this Honourable House.

Mr. Speaker, through you, I want our Public Officers to know that their Government is cognisant that they need a conducive environment and the tools to do their jobs, and that they deserve nothing less. I want them to know that their safety and reasonable comfort are of importance to us I also want the members of the public to know that their Government believes that they deserve quality infrastructure, comfortable environment to conduct business and quality service, and the current administration is fully committed to delivering this.

I am proud to be a part of the restoration, rebuilding, and recovery that is taking place, as we seek to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens and create a sustainable future for the generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you.