Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Gov’t needs Maintenance Dept. for state assets– Hon Smith

-says department will also provide employment for trade-school youths
Deputy Speaker and Territorial At-Large member in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) says in 2022 he will be pushing for the creation of a government-runed maintenance Department, to ensure state assets are in tip-top condition. Photo: HoA/Facebook
Pick-up trucks belonging to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. Photo: RVIPF
Pick-up trucks belonging to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. Photo: RVIPF
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Deputy Speaker and Territorial At-Large member in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) says in 2022 he will be pushing for the creation of a government-owned maintenance department, to ensure state assets are in tip-top condition.

Hon Smith’s proposal came in a video series entitled ‘Five Minutes with a Member’ produced by the HoA, which detailed some of his plans for 2022.

“We keep investing in buildings, cars boats, and engines, we have to find where we can create some sort of maintenance department, so we [can] have a department to take care of of issues,” he said.

“In doing this, it also creates work for some of the same young people who are now in trade school doing mechanic, engine, etc” he added. 

Department means more accountability - Hon Smith 

The Deputy Speaker said the creation of the department will also bring more accountability to the government as it relates to state-owned assets, and prevent the need for continued investment in the same type of assets.

“We all know that we have a problem with the buildings and vehicles that Government has, they are not properly maintained,” he added.

Hon Smith said as such, a plan will need to be devised for making the maintenance department a reality in 2022. 

20 Responses to “Gov’t needs Maintenance Dept. for state assets– Hon Smith”

  • Huh? (12/02/2022, 11:38) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    These guys saying anything now!
  • pat (12/02/2022, 11:43) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    Good plans mey boy
  • vi (12/02/2022, 11:44) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is the Facilities Management Department? I thought that is their function and if it needs bolstering, then so....someone can correct me if I am wrong.
  • True Sir (12/02/2022, 11:48) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    The problem is the maintenance Department have to be also trained and that is over a period of time. Locals don't like to take orders. Plus the Premier says 1000 job for his people. As much as i agree with him on this. Most of his people do not have the needy experience.
    I am a country with under a million people but was able to trained people with a population of over 20 million. I have the knowledge and experience to train Locals in many careers. i know they will benefit but the Government and Labor department will never give me the chance to train their own people, all because where you come from, the color of your skin and you are not from here.
    Question: Have you taken a look at the sewage treatment plant at the round-about in Road Town? Do you believe the expose old panels is a good sights? That is an example of bad attitude, i don't care method of some workers.
    Question: what makes workers think that their Air Condition units must be running on weekends even when there are almost no workers there? Mold will build under your carpets an you will get sick.
    Air Condition in the USA runs 7 month on because its summer, 3 months warm because its winter that's why they hardly have molds because of this 3 months of warmth.
    In the BVI it id difficult to have a proper functioning Maintenance Department because of Training, leadership, attitude and committed to do their best.
  • musa (12/02/2022, 11:49) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    They also need a place for state liability like you
  • Commentator (12/02/2022, 11:54) Like (37) Dislike (2) Reply
    this is a great idea! We could call it Public Works Dept....
  • you gone (12/02/2022, 12:10) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Too little too late
  • 1st District (12/02/2022, 13:14) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have this in place: Public Works, National Park's Trust and Facilities
  • sheep (12/02/2022, 14:09) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    lost and clueless
  • warning (12/02/2022, 17:47) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    It wont be easy like last time
  • BuzzBvi (12/02/2022, 17:51) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    You mean like a Ministry for Transportation, Works and Utilities!!!!! See you finally spotted they do not maintain anything, can't build anything that lasts and now you want to keep paying them and pay a new set of people to do their jobs. Sounds expensive. Why not just get the Department to do the work they should already be doing.
  • Great Idea. (12/02/2022, 18:42) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    I like this idea but who will make sure they do their work.? Those we have at Hospital and Admin building does nothing but collect their bi - weekly checks....So, great idea. If they will work and make it productive it can safe Govt a lot. U just need a team of 6..Versatile. multi skill individuals..
  • rubber duck (12/02/2022, 19:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I don't care what the ndp say sheep going back in!
  • VIST (12/02/2022, 21:23) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies it’s your time to shine and show the government that the youth are the future
  • The watchman (13/02/2022, 05:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    With the comment it is time to create a new at large member.
  • I want to be a PUBLIC OFFICER (13/02/2022, 08:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So currently there are two entities that cover Deputy Speaker’s idea of the Maintenance Department. We already have the Facilities Unit - who somewhat deals with government buildings and cleaners and maintenance guys to assist where necessary (THIS NEEDS TO BE REVAMPED) along with Public Works - who deals with the maintenance of government vehicles along with other things including the provision of gas to government owned vehicles. It’s just a matter of merging; which I don’t agree but moreover boosting both entities and making them stronger.

    I don’t see why government vehicles should be serviced outside of government to service when Public Works is there. We should utilize what we have. I don’t see why they’re hiring outside cleaners when Facilities have cleaners.

    I want a job though.
  • E. Leonard (16/02/2022, 18:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A new department? Suggest creating a Facility Management and Maintenance Division within the Public Works Department (PWD). The Division would need to recruit, train, and equip personnel, along with adequate funding. Each activity would the Division commensurate with their size; capital outlays would come from a source other than Operations and Maintenance.

    Structurally, it would need a) work reception center, b)emergency response section and c) maintenance and repair section. Minimum response time would be needed for emergency and routine work. There are a number facility management programmes available to facilitate managing facilities. PWD also need deepen and strengthen its transportation management and repair program.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.