Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool (second left) insisted during the ground breaking ceremony held yesterday, May 8, 2014 to signal the beginning of works for the cruise pier extension project that the multi-million dollar development was not about any political party. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Project Manager Dion Stoutt speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Acting Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Andrew St Hilaire speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Founder of Meridian Construction Company, Mr Percey Rhoden noted that the project has not been without a fair level of controversy, but expressed hopes that the project will be completed within the existing budget and finished on time.
Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority, Mr Claude Skelton-Cline praised staff members for their support up to this point and said the project was a game changer. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from the groundbreaking ceremony of the cruise pier expansion project held at Wickham's Cay I on May 8, 2014. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool insisted during the ground breaking ceremony held yesterday, May 8, 2014 to signal the beginning of works for the cruise pier extension project that the multi-million dollar development was not about any political party.
“This cruise pier development is not about a party called the NDP or a party called the VIP, but I must say it is about a ‘P’. That ‘P’ is the people of the Virgin Islands,” Hon. Vanterpool said.
He stressed that the project is a crucial one to further the enhancement of the Virgin Islands tourism product and one that has become a major priority in light of the global trends in cruise tourism.
Several government officials were in attendance at the ceremony held at the cruise ship dock in a show of support for the momentous occasion.
Expressing his delight for the progress made thus far in the plans, Hon. Vanterpool said his team was up to the task. He added that the project has not been easy and said he does not expect it to get any easier. “I am totally convinced that we are doing the right thing, right here, right now,” Vanterpool added.
Last month, Government inked a $30.7M contract with IDL Projects Inc./Meridian Construction Company Ltd. for the first phase of the much hyped port development project.
According to Hon. Vanterpool, a long-promised boardwalk has been included as part of the initial phase of the work and is expected to be completed within the next few months.
Meanwhile, Founder of Meridian Construction Company, Mr Percey Rhoden noted that the project has not been without a fair level of controversy, but expressed hopes that the project will be completed within the existing budget and finished on time.
Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority, Mr Claude Skelton-Cline praised staff members for their support up to this point and said the project was a game changer. He was also grateful that "with all the challenges, we have been able to turn this thing around".
Hon. Vanterpool told listeners that the cruise pier development project meant guaranteed continued employment and revenue for local taxi and tour operators, vendors, restaurateurs and other local businesses. The project, he added, also promises to deliver $7-$10M annually to the BVI Ports Authority in their ports development programme over the next 15 years and beyond.
Auditor General Report says much of what PAC found
The report by the five-member Public Accounts Committe (PAC) with Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal as the Chairman said it finds that the concerns raised by the Auditor General Ms. Sonia M. Webster in the Auditor General Report dated January 31, 2013 on the Port Development Project have merit and required in-depth investigations.
The Auditor General's Report of last year on the Ports Development Project unearthed corruption, conflict of interest, disregard for the laws of the Virgin Islands, unfair practices, undue influence in favour of one developer, disregard for the established tendering process and found that no one was looking out for the interest of the people and taxpayers of the Virgin Islands, putting the people at a disadvantage.
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