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Gov’t envisioning new & expanded role for RDA– Premier

- Premier says RDA continues to deliver high project standards & performance
The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), led by Anthony S. McMaster (in photo), has come in for praise from Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: RDA/Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), speaking at the handover ceremony of the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Marine Base, on April 16, 2024, said his government is envisioning a new and expanded role for the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA). Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), speaking at the handover ceremony of the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Marine Base, on April 16, 2024, said his government is envisioning a new and expanded role for the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA). Photo: VINO
The new Jost van Dyke Primary School, a project managed by the RDA, was officially opened on January 18, 2024. Photo: RDA/Facebook
The new Jost van Dyke Primary School, a project managed by the RDA, was officially opened on January 18, 2024. Photo: RDA/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Virgin Islands (VI) Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio. D. Wheatley (R7) has praised the performance of the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) and announced his government's intention to expand its role.

The Premier made the announcement during the handover ceremony of the Law Enforcement Marine Base, on April 16, 2024, a project that was jointly funded by the Government of the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom (UK) and executed by the RDA.

According to the Premier, “The RDA has been one of the frontline agencies leading the VI's recovery and development following hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.”

He asked those gathered to take a moment to recognise the sterling work the agency continues to deliver under the stewardship of Mr Anthony S. McMaster, a Virgin Islander.

“RDA’s track record has truly soared since Mr McMaster took the helm of the RDA, and I also want to recognise the members of the board and all the employees of the RDA and all their partners and all those who have contributed to their work.”

RDA delivers high project standards' - Premier 

He said the RDA has been managing and delivering complicated projects with large budgets, on time, within cost and quality to the highest standards.

“The performance of the RDA has been such a high standard, that we in the government are envisioning a new and expanded role for the RDA, so that it can lend its talents and expertise to supporting other public projects,” the Premier revealed.

The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) was established in 2018 by the Government of the Virgin Islands as a transparent and accountable specialist project implementation agency to respond to the unique challenges faced by the Territory following the extreme weather events of 2017.

Completed projects managed by the RDA include the new Elmore Stoutt High School, new Jost van Dyke Primary School, Administration Building on Virgin Gorda, Virgin Gorda Police Barracks, repair of Jost van Dyke Administration Building, and restoration of the Anthonie Jeffrey Caines Sports Arena on Virgin Gorda.

The RDA has also re-engineered roads across the VI and delivered at least three reservoir projects.

The Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Marine Base is the 43rd project activity of the RDA.

10 Responses to “Gov’t envisioning new & expanded role for RDA– Premier”

  • E. Leonard (18/04/2024, 15:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Recovery and Development Agency ( name change probably needed,,ie, Virgin Islands Construction Agency(VICA), etc) can serve as an effective and efficient centralize agency for awarding and managing ministries, statutory bodies, etc
    major capital projects contracts.. Minor construction/service projects contracts can still be awarded by Public Works/Engineering, etc. The RDA type agency is not a novel idea.

    The US Navy uses; it is called Resident Officer in Charge of Construction ( ROICC). A ROICC serves specific geographical area(s) , eg, ROICC Hawaii, etc. Smaller areas use the term OICC ( Officer in Charge of Construction). Neither ROICC nor OIC C is responsible for procuring project funding. Once a project(s) is authorized and appropriated, the agency(project owner) engages ROICC to execute award and management of the construction contract. ROICC does not have construction crews ; it is staffed with engineers, inspectors, administration personnel., etc. Project completed, it is turn over to the owner with final plans and specs, warranty information, contractor contact info., etc.
    • Bush Professor (18/04/2024, 19:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      To E. Leonard, good read but I have a different view on RDA function. True, the Navy’s construction management program program seems similar to the RDA program or RDA program mimics the Navy’s. However, the Navy’s average annual construction is varied across many geographic areas and comprises $$$BBB. As such, the Navy may need a centralize ROICC to manage its construction program. In the other hand, does the BVI need a new agency to management its construction program?

      Instead of an additional agency , why not staff,,equip, train, etc Public Works/Engineering to manage the design, construction, inspection, maintenance, etc, programme? Why don’t we invest in Public Works to get it meet its responsibility consistent with its mission? Are we letting Public Works off the hook by not forcing it to do its job? Is creating another companion agency letting Public Works off the hook?
      • Manjack (19/04/2024, 10:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Bush Professor, you nuts mehson? Public works is as useless as tits on a boar hog from head to to toe. If you put a general doctor to perform brain or heart surgery, the outcome would probably be disastrous, so is putting Public works in its current state under the current leadership. Public works will have to be altogether revamped to execute the construction acquisition and management function. That could be a long/term goal but in the short/term the RDA is the better option. Assigning the responsibility to Public works at this juncture would result in higher cost, project overruns, poor quality , etc.
      • Lessness (19/04/2024, 13:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        As William Shakespeare says in Hamlet, ‘To be or not to be.” Public Works epitimizes and exemplifies lessness .
    • @E. Leonard (19/04/2024, 12:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E. Leonard, the following statement puts Public Works in a diminished role with a minor maintenance function:” Minor construction/service projects contracts can still be awarded by Public Works/Engineering, etc”. It begs the question if Public Works should remain a department or assign as a division/branch attached to a minister. Who is responsible for Pubic Works’ under and poor performance, poor image as a bungling, stumbling department which is in competition for being the worst performing department,ie, Top leadership, ministry, etc? Is it a failed department which is in need of an urgent complete revamping and restructuring?
  • lodger (18/04/2024, 15:53) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Its called the Public Works Department! No need to reinvent the wheel.!
    • time will tell (19/04/2024, 09:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I was wondering if everyone forget there is already a dept for all these things. Since Govt in the habit of switching money from one portfolio to another, just make him General Director of PWD.There is soo much potential here with proper organization.
      • ?? (19/04/2024, 22:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        We would be back to square one if we disband RDA now.

        PWD is not the problem either!

        It is too much blatant interference and influence are the elephants in the room no one wants to admit to.

        Then too many of the PWD staff are loyal to that outside interference and influence than the established protocols of project management, budgetary and expenditure controls, quality, time management and best business practices.

        Leave things how they are now!

        RDA for major projects!

        PWD for minor ones and the ongoing maintenance of them both - major and minor projects, once handed over.

        Good job RDA!

        PWD prove that you can do the same level of efficiency as RDA with the small projects, then another 5 years down the road, probably disband RDA and transition its resources to PWD.
  • Perishing (18/04/2024, 17:08) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    No vision whatsoever. Re-imagining. Envisioning. Fanciful words for much ado about nothing. NO VISION that is beautifully wrapped in the finest gold and tied with a diamond bow, topped off with the biggest gift card of the best words from every language is STILL NO VISION! This is what the country is witnessing.
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (19/04/2024, 03:17) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    The RDA is as corrupt as they get, take that to the bank


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