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Despite $294,937.97 contract, HMP still without proper fencing!

The issue of safety and security at Her Majesty’s Prison continues to be a sore point and its reality was evident in the a recent jail break among several other security breaches in the past and once left unattended or if the slothful action of the present government continues, an even worse situation lurks. Photo: VINO/File
Honourable Minister for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn told the House of Assembly on February 12, 2013 that the proposed security fencing at Her Majesty’s Prison is currently under review since the original plans, submitted in 2010, did not include the entire perimeter fencing. Photo: VINO/File
Honourable Minister for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn told the House of Assembly on February 12, 2013 that the proposed security fencing at Her Majesty’s Prison is currently under review since the original plans, submitted in 2010, did not include the entire perimeter fencing. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The issue of safety and security at Her Majesty’s Prison continues to be a sore point and its reality was evident in the a recent jail break among several other security breaches in the past and once left unattended or if the slothful action of the present government continues, an even worse situation lurks.

This must have been the guiding factor, among others, that would have moved Representative of the Third District Hon. Julian Fraser RA to grill the Honourable Minister for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn on issues of the prison’s security at the Sixth Sitting of the Second Session of the Second House of Assembly on February 12, 2013.

Responding to the question of the status of the proposed security fencing at Her Majesty's Prison and whether any contracts were issued for the proposed security fencing at the Prison, Hon. Walwyn said the proposed security fencing at Her Majesty’s Prison is currently under review.

He told the House that it is under review since the original plans, submitted in 2010, did not include the entire perimeter fencing. Revised drawings and Bill of Quantities were provided by the Ministry of Communications and Works (Public Works Department) in the early part of 2011. These new quantities increased the original sum from $294,937.97 to $931,345.28. “Madam Speaker, funding was unavailable for such a great increase in cost as the Ministry of Education’s capital funding for 2012 was mainly used to pay for commitments entered into prior to November 7, 2011,” he said.

According to Hon Walwyn, a first payment in the amount of $147,468.99 was issued to the contractor via cheque # 34704 on July 08, 2010. The entire fencing material as outlined in the contract was purchased and is now being stored at the site opposite Peebles Hospital in Road Town since June 2011. “No work commenced on the fence Madam Speaker.”

As reported by the Education and Culture Minister, one major contract was issued for the proposed security fencing to JBF Construction & Heavy Equipment (Major Contract #4/2010 – Construction of a Perimeter Fence outside the Existing Fence at Her Majesty's Prison In Balsam Ghut, Tortola) in the amount of $294,937.97.

It was not stated, however, when works will actually commence to addressed the safety and security aspects of Her Majesty's Prison.

14 Responses to “Despite $294,937.97 contract, HMP still without proper fencing!”

  • Hmmmm (13/02/2013, 08:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only in the BVI......... Well sah
    Where else would:

    a) some one would take out a contract to fence a prison but not in its entirety. Prisoners arent smart enough to walk to the area that isnt fenced? REALLY?
    b) a fence would cost a million dollars. Is this an electric fence and the price includes the cost for the electricity???
    c) you would buy some of the fence but not put it up and just let it sit at pebbles (another project that can only happen in the BVI)

  • ooooo (13/02/2013, 09:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    all because these jobs were put on hold by ndp
    • farmer brown (13/02/2013, 10:24) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Myron playin gimme gimme syndrome polticks.

    • sam the man (13/02/2013, 12:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      that contract(incomplete at best) was put on hold by the vip government. look at the dates. there was a cash flow problem. look at tha cost difference almost 4 times it sarted out to beeeeee
      • Sense alone (14/02/2013, 01:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        "Sam" you are one of the most sensible bloggers here. Myron inherit a lot of b s....... that Fahie started. I am not a fan of Myron but I will speak the truth when it needs to be spoken.
        Myron is trying to make a better BVI and everything he do its a problem with some of the people. You all need to go and check to see how long the prison was under Fahie compared to Myron. Cha Man!!!!
        • To sense alone (15/02/2013, 00:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          You better watch your lies you telling on Fahie. Get the real facts before you blog foolishness but you telling the truth. The real mess is what Myron doing. Time will tell.
  • bam see (13/02/2013, 10:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not even the fencing the minister has to look into. He has to double check on the purchases that the purchasing office does and how much of it gets to the prison. He also needs to look at all the senior officers and them who does go by the stores and buy rum and beers to drink when them up there. If you do not want a riot up there and it is coming, PLEASE, PLEASE Myron check your Prison food and other purchases, I know what does be ordered and I know some of them is not for the Prison.
  • Music (13/02/2013, 11:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why wasnt the prison fence properly constructed when the place was built?
  • foxy (13/02/2013, 15:09) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    he mussy want he brother escape so he stop the fence project hehehehehehe
    • bay yute (13/02/2013, 20:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      What does this have to do with the price of tea in china?
    • Rebuttal (14/02/2013, 00:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Foxy he brother don't have to run go no where, Tola is where he born. Besides in just a few short months he will be out.
      L keep your head up bro. Take your punishment like a MAN.
  • Blah Blah Blah (17/02/2013, 03:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My question is simply this, how much more waste of public $$$$ can a poor country like the BVI take?


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