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Premier Wheatley wants roads that ‘will last us for the next 30, 40 years’

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has challenged contractors to deliver roads in the Virgin Islands (VI) that will last for several decades. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), left, at the contract signing ceremony with Tortola Paving Company Limited to pave nine (9) miles of road from the Road Town Ferry Terminal to the West End Ferry Terminal. Photo: GIS
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), left, at the contract signing ceremony with Tortola Paving Company Limited to pave nine (9) miles of road from the Road Town Ferry Terminal to the West End Ferry Terminal. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has challenged contractors to deliver roads in the Virgin Islands (VI) that will last for several decades.

The Premier was speaking at the contract signing ceremony with Tortola Paving Company Limited to pave nine (9) miles of road from the Road Town Ferry Terminal to the West End Ferry Terminal.

The contract, the largest in history, was signed on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in the amount of fourteen million, eighty-eight thousand, six hundred and twenty dollars and two cents ($14,088,620.02).

Our News Centre was the first to report on the contract being awarded to Tortola Paving Limited.

Premier Wheatley said a lot of persons have been speaking about the state of the roads, but what he knows Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), is working very hard to address the problems.

“It takes time, it takes money, it takes commitment and determination, and the minister has displayed that and it revealed itself in this contract signing here today.”

Premier Wheatley added, “We are looking forward to having improved roads in the Territory. One that will last us for the next 30, 40 years, and that we will all be proud of.”

Roads will last if properly maintained- Kimberly R. Ritter

Manager of Tortola Paving Company Limited Ms Kimberly R. Ritter thanked the Government of the Virgin Islands for choosing her company to complete the nine miles of road works and emphasised the importance of investing in the maintenance of roads in the Territory so that they can stand the test of time.

“The Honourable Premier said that he wants these roads to last for 30 to 40 years. As we have done our research, roads rarely last about 20-30 years, depending on the maintenance of the road. So, as we complete our road, I want to encourage you to make sure you keep up on the maintenance as it goes along with what we do.

"I can assure you that the people of the Virgin Islands will be happy and pleased, because we will do our end, and then they'll have paving as smooth as their rides. So, we thank you again for this opportunity, and we will deliver.”

5 Responses to “Premier Wheatley wants roads that ‘will last us for the next 30, 40 years’”

  • Hot one (29/12/2025, 09:58) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hopefully they will at least last through the next rain storm.
    Is the RDA involved and if so why not - the roads they did at International Motors are great, and out the efforts of the Govt at paraquita bay to shame!
    Has anybody checked that BVI Elec, Water & Sewage, BVI Cable, and the phone companies have put down all the lines and conduits that the need. We don’t want the roads dug up 6 months after they are finished.
  • Talking with 2 tongues (29/12/2025, 09:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    But not one what will take 4 years to build line the ones Mcnamara and other from Pariquita to Hodges Creek
  • pass (29/12/2025, 11:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whoever did that corner of the hillside road to/from Sea Cow's Bay, should get road jobs. Besides that, if we want roads to last that long, we need road engineers who can do just that!
  • Kid Buu (29/12/2025, 11:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    u want roads that will last but giving contracts to the same locals who do a poor job and come back for money to do it again lol

    when i see yall bring in some real specialist like chinese or americans or anywhere with good rep on building roads then i will take yall serious but as for now is just who turn next to dip into the cookie jar while the less fortune continue to mash up their cars on the roads they pay tax for

    look how long hodges creek road taking..........2 years going into 3

    tax returns when?
  • Caribbean Roads! (29/12/2025, 11:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He needs to go SKB and see how to engineer proper roads.


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