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Another complex needed to cut down on rented spaces- Premier Wheatley

-said Government is renting more spaces than ever before
Noting that the Government of the Virgin Islands is renting more spaces more then ever before, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said another complex, such as the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex, needs to be built to lessen on the recurrent expenditure. Photo: Facebook
Ralph T. O'Neal Central Administration Complex is the hub of government business. Other spaces are rented for various offices. Photo: VINO/File
Ralph T. O'Neal Central Administration Complex is the hub of government business. Other spaces are rented for various offices. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Noting that the Government of the Virgin Islands is renting more spaces more then ever before, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said another complex, such as the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex, needs to be built to lessen the recurrent expenditure.

Of the $399.33M budgeted for 2023, $335.08M is for recurrent expenditure.

“We should have built another complex in the past, before. That is something we have to do now, to cut down on all the rented spaces that we have. We have so many other things that cause your recurrent expenditure to balloon and what happens now the recurrent surplus is very small…Premier Wheatley told reporters during a press conference on December 2, 2022.

‘Government has expanded like crazy’- Premier

The Premier said there very small recurrent surpluses right now because the recurrent expenditure is so high.

“Which means government has expanded like crazy. Government has gotten bigger. We have more persons working in the civil service than any before, we rent more accommodation more than ever before,” Dr Wheatley stated.

The Premier said government is now pressured to borrow, which is another problem by itself with the borrowing threshold in the Protocol for Effective Financial Management forced upon the VI by the United Kingdom. 

24 Responses to “Another complex needed to cut down on rented spaces- Premier Wheatley”

  • He never own a business (09/12/2022, 17:51) Like (3) Dislike (59) Reply
    Why is he trying to cut out the local people from renting?
    • @He never own a business. Stop it.. (10/12/2022, 05:05) Like (33) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you own a business it sure not doing well,. U cannot spend 10 million a year of your profit to rent when you have the ability and space to build a 3 - 4 storage complex for 30 -4o Million that will reduce your rental expenses by 8 million annual.. it means after 5 yrs we would have used that rental savings to pay off for our new complex,, Hence, there after we would have another 8 million to put else where. The Premier is correct.
  • This is the best (09/12/2022, 18:32) Like (28) Dislike (2) Reply
    Suggestion I have heard a leader of the VI said since the passing of H.L. Stoutt. I do not know if it's due to the fact it will be hurting individuals pockets. Truly the government places of business are all spread out over the island and that's not a ideal for people who have to deal business with government for whatever reasons.

    I Suggest where the current complex is another smaller one 3/4 it's size and fit right there. This should house, DMV, Inland, SS Office, Passport, IT, all departments that was displace after irma that collect monies should be place in that building. That's my suggestion
  • W*F (09/12/2022, 18:35) Like (16) Dislike (18) Reply
    I can't believe that the Premier is saying anotbet complex is needed to cut down on rent. Wtf is wrong with this guy? Government can build 1000 complexes and they will still rent iffice spaces from private indivuduals because that is what they are expected to do. And of course ar exorbitant monthly rents. He probably has the contractor in mind who wilk build the next complex. Smfh
    • NDP would have done do ig (10/12/2022, 05:41) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      NDP bought that land at Port Purcell for that said reason the Premier is talning about. NDP started out as a saviour for this Country but later down, a fes members gog caught up in greed and power struggle, they ended up losing their way and their purpose. So , The land is already there for that purpose. ..
  • NO!! (09/12/2022, 19:10) Like (3) Dislike (38) Reply
    Not with my tax money Sowande. Continue to rent from the locals and the money will go back into the economy if you know anything about economics. Cant even maintain one we looking to waste MY MONEY on another one. Cant even afford to pay the people who working inside the buildings. That making any sense to you? Strupes...no sensible priorities! No leadership!
  • just asking? (09/12/2022, 19:25) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    so while technology has help larger more complexed countries make Government more efficient and streamlined cutting down on civil service workforce while increasing services , we have gone in the opposite direction . SMH
  • It's not about him (09/12/2022, 19:50) Like (45) Dislike (3) Reply
    It's about fattening one set of family pockets and not owning the building instead of government building their own building which will be money well spent because those buildings will be own by the government for future governments which will in turn help to stop the squandering of taxpayers money which belongs to all the people , not just a choosen set of the people / like family and certain friends / or the greedy bunch ????
  • annudda2cents (09/12/2022, 20:25) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    A golden opportunity was missed during the ongoing repairs that could've addressed this issue. The existing complex could've been expanded without losing its X shape or adding another floor. At least 12 government departments could have been accommodated in said expansion. Anyways..
    • Obs (10/12/2022, 14:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Annudda2cents, you are so observant and correct. Even a blind Architect could see that. Exercising around the area periodically I can see the potential for expansion vertically and horizontally. An advantage that could have been taken to address the need for space during the repairs. My God our leaders have no foresight. If parking would be an issue, Relocate the existing parking facility by looking at underground parking, roof top or even building a near by parking garage. Some one mentioned relocating DMV. That might not be such a wise idea. Explain how to incorporate the vehicle inspection area. I have not seen that in any other country. ‘A mean BVI could be different I guess’ That Dept might still need to be separate and apart. Lot to think about Government.
  • See (09/12/2022, 20:25) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    The local cronies sucking the t_ _ of the government will be the only ones upset
  • Motion (09/12/2022, 20:52) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Hmmm a law block was to be build whats the plan on that was to be over ya mama side
  • PT09 (09/12/2022, 20:59) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    As we know this is all about getting the vote and nothing more.
  • Mustang (09/12/2022, 21:38) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Government should have the space needed to effectively and efficiently operate commensurate with its mission. As such it has two options in meeting its space needs; it can own or lease the needed space. Further government also has the responsible to optimize the expenditure of taxpayers resources. It must determine whether owning or leasing is the more cost effective option. A budget was just rolled out and any budget person will say that budget operators has a responsibility and maxim to maximize the efficiency of resources to deliver the best resources to the most people. The problem is that too many non-managers are serving in budget and other management positions.
  • Our best Premier jn 20 yrs. (10/12/2022, 05:19) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Premier you are so correct. This is the hard but right decision that a good leader will make. Thats why those before you failed so badly... You are talking the rigbt thing. I hope if you get another term you will make it happen..
    • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (10/12/2022, 16:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ "Our best Premier in 20 years."
      Does the recognition, and talking of the right to do equal the doing of the thing? Most of the public know that millions of $$ have been badly spent by all of the previous governments, including the current one on rental spaces for government offices etc. Does this late recognition close to the next general election make the current our best Premier in the last 20 years?
      The idea is a good one, but is overdue by many years. As usual, Poitical gemmick at play
  • Only in the BVI.. (10/12/2022, 05:28) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't get it twisted, greedy and corrupt politicians have this place so. We cannot blame the business person for building the space if Politician agree to rent the space for 10-15-20 yrs.. We all were hoping that one day we will get a leader who will stand up and say, "No More, This has To Stop". We now have that leader....Where else in the world you will find an Island with a population of 35 thousand and their govt spending in excess of a million dollar a month in rental space..! The State needs it own state of the art complex, that belongs to the state. With our Flag flying high on top of it.
  • Reduce renting. Great move! (10/12/2022, 05:51) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Build as you said, use that savings to pay better salaries and to improve our infrastructure, still we will have our own for generations To come...When Govt move out it creates more space for economical actuvities, we still have a lot of off shore bankers and trust companies interesting in setting up offices in the BVI, So, as Govt moves out one will move in, they wont be left empty and abandant...Its a win, win for all, most impkrtanrly the ciuntry wins.
  • smh (10/12/2022, 06:50) Like (16) Dislike (6) Reply
    He sounds so stupid to say that we are renting more because we have more public officers. We are renting more currently because there is no one in the complex and there used to be at least 14 Offices in the complex which are no longer occupied so that's 14 Departments that needed a new space while the complex is being fixed.
  • just wrong (10/12/2022, 09:07) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Maybe we should cut down the size of Government, rather than build places to house them.
  • DroNe (10/12/2022, 10:14) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    They need to build the seniors home at spooners before any other building.
  • WEW (10/12/2022, 14:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just cut the bloated government employment roles
  • Modernize the Govt (11/12/2022, 22:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Leverage technology to reduce costs of gov't rental bill. Many jobs can move online with remote work. Pay employees better, set deadlines and improve efficiency..Electricity, Water and Rental costs will be significantly reduced for Gov't.
    In the last 5 years more than 300 Gov't employees retired, much less were hired in that time. Gov't can work more efficiently. It's old-school to keep big offices and place desks for thousands of employees.
  • History (12/12/2022, 11:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Would the govy need so much space if it ran efficiently? The Smith administration commissioned a study some years back. The final report was never released to the public (of course) but as I recall the executive report indicated that there was about 35% too many staff. This was published in the Beacon.


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