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Rehab of R.T. O’Neal Admin Complex projected for 2026/27 completion

- Hon Rymer said exterior of building is 98% complete & interior works are approximately 60% complete
More than $10 million has been committed to the rehabilitation of Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex, with approximately $8 million already spent. Photo: VINO
Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) provided an update on the restoration of Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex during an appearance on Virgin Islands Voice on April 30, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) provided an update on the restoration of Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex during an appearance on Virgin Islands Voice on April 30, 2025. Photo: Facebook
The new completion timeline for the rehabilitation of Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex is now set for either 2026 or 2027, the latest. Photo: VINO
The new completion timeline for the rehabilitation of Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex is now set for either 2026 or 2027, the latest. Photo: VINO
The rehabilitation of the exterior of Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex is 98 percent complete, with only the elevator installation remaining to finalise that phase. Photo: VINO
The rehabilitation of the exterior of Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex is 98 percent complete, with only the elevator installation remaining to finalise that phase. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— More than $10 million has been committed to the rehabilitation of Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex, with approximately $8 million already spent. The new completion timeline is now set for either 2026 or 2027, the latest.

Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) provided the update during an appearance on Virgin Islands Voice on April 30, 2025. He confirmed that contracts and purchase orders account for the full committed amount, covering a wide range of infrastructural and restoration works.

Initial efforts at rehabilitation of the facility, which was damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, began in 2019, with the installation of a new roof membrane and the replacement of the skylight; however, the project encountered delays in 2020 due to the merging of various government departments.

Further delays occurred in 2023 following the emergence of new ministries, necessitating a redesign of the interior layout to accommodate the additional departments.

Responding to public concerns about the basement of the complex, including reports of rodent infestation, while he did not confirm those claims personally, Hon Rymer stated that a contract for additional remediation had been signed.

Progress of works

According to Minister Rymer, basement remediation works, including cleaning and records restoration, are set to commence in mid-May.

Additionally, Hon Rymer outlined several active contracts contributing to the rehabilitation of the complex, including for the exterior cladding of the building, upgrades to the western driveway, drainage improvements, and the installation of basement doors and shutters.

According to the Works Minister, the exterior of the building is 98 percent complete, with only the elevator installation remaining to finalise that phase.

Attention, he disclosed, has now shifted to the interior works, which are approximately 60 percent complete, while designs for the internal fit-out include lighting fixtures, ceiling panels, floor tiling, and interior colour schemes. According to Hon Rymer, these designs are expected to be finalised by June.

To support the upcoming phases of work, long-lead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contracts, including for trailers, generators, fire pumps, and electrical mains, have been tendered and submitted to the Ministry of Finance for procurement.

Given the scope of works, Hon Rymer projected that the full completion and outfitting of the Administration Complex will be achieved by 2026 or 2027.

20 Responses to “Rehab of R.T. O’Neal Admin Complex projected for 2026/27 completion”

  • tom (06/05/2025, 10:46) Like (3) Dislike (20) Reply
    Good works kye
  • it's a shame (06/05/2025, 10:51) Like (41) Dislike (1) Reply
    A BUILDING THAT TOOK 3 YEARS TO BUILD NOW TAKING 10 YEARS TO REFURBISH
    • Incompetency (07/05/2025, 12:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You mean to tell me that we cant refurbish a building that was damaged in 2017? I honestly feel like they are trying to put more money into the pockets of the landlords, Patsy, Skelton etc... The breast slowing drying up...milking what they can because the window soon close....sigh

      When are we going to get new Leaders?
  • Just shameful (06/05/2025, 11:03) Like (31) Dislike (2) Reply
    It would have been better they blow up the building in 2019 instead, i guess we would have had the building completed by now for half the price. This is a national disgrace, I do not accept the excuses cited, its not right, irrespective of the political party in power.
  • Oh my goodness (06/05/2025, 11:20) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    So wait, the government, being the politicians, have to full the pockets of their friends before they do the right thing. What the hell. Best the UK take over indeed because at this point, they throwing shit in our face and we eating it. It take 10 years to refurbish a building. No man. This is outrageous.
    • Africaunite! (07/05/2025, 00:57) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply

      You eat the sh**, but keep the neo-colonialists out of the BVI. We have risen from a bird sanctuary and now they want to nestle in our branches? Hell, no. Plenty Ihabriam Taore lives in BVI too.

  • 10 years? (06/05/2025, 12:35) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Either gross incompetence or too many pockets to line, or both!
  • money (06/05/2025, 12:37) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not just $10m spent but all the years of government rent at other property around the Road Town. Who owns those properties?

    Already $8m spent, this is going over $10m for sure.
  • BuzzBvi (06/05/2025, 12:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    They just tendering!!!
  • Deadly fight for Premier. (06/05/2025, 18:03) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myron, Mitch and Matha have high winning possibility..Sowande, Kye, Lue also have high winning possibility...Marlon also has a high winning possibility...I do not thing, Frazer, Ronnie, Vincent, Lorna Sherri, winning chances ain't looking good...We can end up with 5 fresh faces in the House come next election...We will have a 3 way fight for Premier - Sownade, Marlon and Myron..No party will win more than 5 seats, they will have to team up to form the Govt. Its Going be an intense fight for Premier..
  • UK Please (06/05/2025, 18:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Anyone still think the COI was wrong? No chance of corruption here right?
  • Blind Man (06/05/2025, 18:44) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a shame and a disgrace we the tax payers have to deal with this nonsense ,its been about 8yrs now and we have is a building on display.
  • Eldread (06/05/2025, 18:53) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hey meh son, I sowandie is premiere here in the BVI, I got to check my budget to see if I have enough funds to complete the office complex, because I have set aside priority monies for other parties, and I might re-invite Vybz Kartel here again because he had me gyrating and jamming, and you know his quarter million USD has to be paid upfront before he leaves Jamaica, and I have different part of the world I want to go travel and see, I grab this power during a crisis and used Lorna smith to grab it again and am going to enjoy it.
    • @Eldread (07/05/2025, 15:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      he will go down as one of the worse premier in the history of the bvi.
  • See (06/05/2025, 19:09) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It only took 10 years. And people think we could handle independence
  • civ servant (06/05/2025, 21:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    them need to tell the truth, the inside is not even 1 percent complete, it is a moldy mess inside especially in the basement
  • Swindled (07/05/2025, 08:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Patsy treating the public like patsy’s
  • Really? (11/05/2025, 09:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kye stop it. 11 million dollars was collected to fix that building after the hurricanes from Nagico. Why you guys ain’t show us the current state of that building before starting? We don’t want our brothers and sisters in that building with just a fresh coat of paint and a refurbished desk. Spend the money to make the environment comfortable and safe, because we know it has a thriving mold problem. And don’t come the crap that the doors and windows were expensive. I will definitely be coming there to see the place once it’s back up and running, and advise all of us to do the same. We have to pay attention to how Natalio spending our monies!


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