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