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Facilities Management Unit upgraded to a full-fledged department

The Facilities Management Unit has been upgraded to a full-fledged department as the Government of the Virgin Islands works towards the transformation vision of the Public Service. Photo: GIS
The Department of Facilities Management is mandated to build and maintain a safe, secure and clean working environment for the occupants and visitors of government-owned and leased properties, along with establishing and enforcing safety guidelines and procedures in compliance with building and safety legislations. Photo: GIS
The Department of Facilities Management is mandated to build and maintain a safe, secure and clean working environment for the occupants and visitors of government-owned and leased properties, along with establishing and enforcing safety guidelines and procedures in compliance with building and safety legislations. Photo: GIS
Director of the Department of Facilities Management Mr Arriel Donovan has been recognised for his role in the growth and development of the Department of Facilities Management. Photo: GIS
Director of the Department of Facilities Management Mr Arriel Donovan has been recognised for his role in the growth and development of the Department of Facilities Management. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Facilities Management Unit has now been upgraded to a full-fledged department, as Government moves towards its vision to transform the Public Service.

According to a Government press release issued on May 9, 2023, Minister for Communication and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) has indicated that Cabinet has accepted the Ministry’s 2018 Re-organisation Plan, as part of the Public Service Transformation Plan, in keeping with the Government’s objective to stream-line services to drive efficiency and effectiveness, with focus on service delivery to customers.

Hon Rymer said the objective of the upgrade included but was not limited to the development, implementation and increased accountability for the operational processing of building and vehicle maintenance; implement, preventative maintenance practices, exceeding the expected life cycles of the government facilities; enhance maintenance management processes; review custodial services; as well as re-organise security and custodial work to ensure adequate coverage and productivity.

Role of Department of Facilities Management

Additionally, Director of the Department of Facilities Management, Mr Arriel Donovan was quoted as saying that the destruction sustained to the Administration Complex due to hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, led to the relocation of ministries and departments, hence expanding the role of the unit. 

Mr Donovan noted that the department maintains and secures most Government owned and leased properties, along with additional responsibilities which include Government’s vehicle fleet management; the Courier and Chauffeur service, as well as the City Park and Ride Shuttle Service.

The Department of Facilities Management is mandated to build and maintain a safe, secure and clean working environment for the occupants and visitors of government-owned and leased properties, along with establishing and enforcing safety guidelines and procedures in compliance with building and safety legislations. 

It was established in 1994 with the aim of managing the upkeep and security of the Central Administration Complex, which was later renamed the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex.

12 Responses to “Facilities Management Unit upgraded to a full-fledged department”

  • Outsider (10/05/2023, 17:59) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Another lame VIP move to give title to managment. On the other hand there are those civil servants who have worked over 20 years with NO TITLE , namely permanant and pensionable. Here we have another example of government breaking their own law! But we going forward GTFOH!
  • E. Leonard (10/05/2023, 19:09) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is much that can be said about facility management, an emerged important, critical business function in both the private and public sectors. Facility management is a quintessential business function, affecting revenue, cost health safety, quality of life, work environment, growth and development, etc. It is about integrating the people, place, process, and technology. There is a cost ownership associated with facilities and every facility has a definite lifecycle and it must be properly funded and operated to meet the design intent and lifecycle. Facility management business plan must align and dovetail with the organization business plan. Part of facility management is being reactive so flexibility must be built into its operation whike being responsive to customers need.,In facility management,safety is the first order of business followed by legality, cost, customer service, etc. Further, a facility is occupied, operated, maintained, repaired, altered, adapted to other uses, recapitalized, etc. It is important to note that shortage of resources is a fact of life for a public sector facility manager. So a Facility manager must be skilled at prioritizing, managing and effectively and efficiently maximizing assigned budgetary resources. Typically, a facility department can be centrally funded or customer pay for services as requested( sometimes labour can be centrally funded and customers just pay for material). Facilities management provides only one product—services.

    Moreover, suggest the facility manager should pursue International Facility Management Association (IFMA) certification—CFM(Certified Facility Manager). Facility staff should enrolled in some IFMA or other facility management agencies courses and the department should investment in a facility management programme.
    • class mate (13/05/2023, 07:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You talk the talk and walk the walk. Major Bay ( Willard Wheatley)alumni,teacher Mac is approving.
  • loose (10/05/2023, 19:40) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    It doesn't matter which government is in charge of this country VIP, NDP , PU or PVIM some people would always find fault. It's like they live for strife and confusion without which they cannot exist.
  • Smith…. (10/05/2023, 21:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    @E. Leonard, I must admit I didn’t cast facilities management as a high level function. I viewed facilities management as spaces to put people, perform maintenance and repair services, etc. But you’re brief and I’m assuming selective comments cast it in a different more important light. It seems to be up there with public works services, engineering, water , sewage, roads, HR and other services. You seemed to have more than a basic understanding and knowledge of facility management. Did you work in facility management? You mention IFMA certification so how does one get certified to become a CFM.
    • lodger (11/05/2023, 09:17) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
      He got it straight from a book or online search!
    • E. Leonard (11/05/2023, 11:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Smith, I’m uncomfortable blowing my own trumpet. Nonetheless, I have had over 25+ years working in facilities area as a maintenance and repair tech, supervisor/manager, director. In regards to IFMA CFM certification, it requires taking a 3-4 hour exam (use to) which was based on technical experience, and technical and administrative knowledge.
      • Smith.. (11/05/2023, 19:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @E.Leonard, Thanks. I know you emigrated but didn’t where you went or was doing. It is so hard to get you guys to come back. The percentage of people who emigrated and returned is low and is probably less than 0.5%.
  • Progress? (11/05/2023, 07:16) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Did I read correctly that here in May of 2023 cabinet has decided to accept a recommendation from 2018 to make these changes? So it only took 5 years? Great progress here guys! At this rate we may solve the running water problem by 2075??
  • Socrates (11/05/2023, 09:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let’s jump right in with the questions.

    1. What is the size of the budget?
    2. What is the staff size and skills breakdown?
    3. What departments, if any, Facilities is not going to provide services for?
    4. How many buildings and other facilities are in the inventory?
    5. What is average physical condition of the facilities, ie, poor, fair, good, excellent?
    6. What is the cost to get inventory up to good condition?
    7. How many turns (moves) do the department do annually?
    8. What is the maintenance and repair backlog?
    9. What is the response time for non-emergency work requests?
    10. What is the expected change , if any, from a unit to a department?
    11. Will facilities be a cost or revenue center?
    12. What services will facilities provide, ie, landscaping, moves, furnishings, pest control, physical facilities maintenance and repair, equipment and appliance maintenance and repair, capital projects needs, minor construction, etc.?
    • Undercover Observer (11/05/2023, 11:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Good probing questions but probably are not going to get any answers and she should. It (facilities) is moving from a unit to a department so it should be readily armed and equipped with the answers. If it cannot, it is just a useless paper exercise shouting blindly in the dark. Truth be told, facilities should be division within Public Works. What does Public works do? It is poorly led and less, yes less. Many of these functions that are farmed out elsewhere should be under Public Works umbrella. Public Works should be led by some who understands and can speak technical language of Public Works. The decentralizing of public works function is a disaster and increases the cost and quality of the services. Our leaders cannot fear fear and change. Stop putting square pegs in round holes, expecting superb results. It is costing taxpayers both in dollars, service,,etc and they deserve better, ie, value for money. Effective organizing, planning, directing, controlling, etc is vital to good governance. Let’s make the change, a constant, that is one of the few only constant in life.
  • @U. Observer (11/05/2023, 14:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    @U. Observer, the BVI is a small bedroom and nepotism, cronyism, etc, as it is in all small bedroom communities so as much we belly ache about it, it may persist. Let’s face it there are much close familial ties in the BVI. What we should expect is transparency, transparency, and avoiding preferential treatment as much as practical and possible. If an individual is best suited for a job, he/she not be punished because of their birth. People will know argue that it should be the best qualified from anywhere. No. Everywhere in small economies and limited opportunities qualified locals gets the the nod, the preference. It happens in Jamaica, SVG, Antigua, St. Lucia, st. Kitts, Grenada, etc. It also happens in small communities within large countries too.


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