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Repairs to Ralph T. O’Neal Central Admin Complex ‘taking too long’- Premier

Noting that based on the last update he received on repairs to the Ralph T. O’Neal Central Administration Complex, progress has been slow, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said he will be meeting with the relevant ministry to find a way to speed up the process. Photo: GIS/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) at a press conference today, May 16, 2023, to update the territory on his delegation’s ‘successful’ trip to the United Kingdom. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) at a press conference today, May 16, 2023, to update the territory on his delegation’s ‘successful’ trip to the United Kingdom. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Disclosing that based on the last update he received on repairs to the Ralph T. O’Neal Central Administration Complex, progress has been slow, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said he will be meeting with the relevant ministry to find a way to speed up the project.

The repairs to the building, which began in 2019, have seen the government having to spend millions of dollars on rent for office space each year.

While he did not say when the last update on the repairs was received, Premier Wheatley said repairs at the time were 30-40% complete.

“So it’s taking to long but I am going to be having a meeting with the Ministry of Communication and Works so we can asses where we are with the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex and how we can speed it up,” Premier Wheatley stated at a press conference today, May 16, 2023, to update the territory on his delegation’s “successful” trip to the United Kingdom.

Then Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), in April 2021, said the Government had developed a comprehensive, four-pronged approach to the renovation of the Administration Complex.

This, he said, included the demolition and removal of existing building components which includes the removal of all damaged components such as existing walls and floors; removal of all mold ridden items and mold remediation.

29 Responses to “Repairs to Ralph T. O’Neal Central Admin Complex ‘taking too long’- Premier”

  • annudda2cents (16/05/2023, 16:35) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is indeed taking too long. What gives?
    • Konsern (18/05/2023, 11:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      While we are on delays, what about the Disaster Management Building in McNamara. Is that going to finished in this decade?
  • RDA??? (16/05/2023, 16:50) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why isn’t the RDA dealing with this project. The RDA ensures that the contract is issued for the correct price, that the work is done properly, and that the work is done on time. There is nobody in the public service that can supervise this sort of project. No wonder it is not done.
  • Blind Man (16/05/2023, 16:51) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    It looks like you guys should have given it to the three contractor's that did the school might have gotten it back long ago. This type of work needs a deadline for completion or money is to be repaid by the contractors for failure to meet completion date.
  • Rubber Duck (16/05/2023, 17:15) Like (12) Dislike (8) Reply
    So are you not the guy who is supposed to be in charge of this?

    Who are you blaming?

    Trueman when he was President had a sign on his desk that said “The buck stops here “

    Some one should buy Slow Wonda one.

  • .... (16/05/2023, 17:46) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    clowns r us
  • Political analyst (16/05/2023, 17:53) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Was there a mutually agreed to construction completion time between the government and contractor
    • Political analyst (16/05/2023, 20:57) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Was there a mutually agreed to construction completion time as to when the project would be complete and useable? If no why not? Did the contract include strong liquidated damages for avoidable delays in meeting contractual completion time? Was a full time construction inspector assigned to the project? And did he/she officially communicated (write, meet) with the contractor concerning the lengthy delay? What if any cause(s), if any, was given for the delay? Will the government be made whole for the extra expense incurred as a result of the contractor/caused delay(s)?
      • Questions… (17/05/2023, 09:05) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        @PA, good questions. But these people so less either they don’t ask them or they do lackadaisical they don’t follow through. Did we elect the best of the worst? We did have much to choose from. Where have all the good people gone?
      • Help (17/05/2023, 11:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You, Socrates and others have all these questions. Why you all don’t sign up to help the government through its inefficiencies. Dont just provide good talk, step forward and help.
    • Contractor.,, (16/05/2023, 20:58) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yes!’
  • resident (16/05/2023, 18:17) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    anything the government does takes too long or is done wrong
  • Elevator (16/05/2023, 18:18) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is the elevator here and installed.

    Signed
    A taxpayer
  • what (16/05/2023, 18:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    was a contact issued
  • Disinterested (16/05/2023, 20:42) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Something is rotten in the state of Denmark (Road Town). The Ralph T. O’Neil Admin Building Rehabilitation project contract was awarded in 2019 and best we can tell there is about 30-40% work put in place (WIP). It is a a given that rehab projects typically takes long than new construction. But WT…. Is going here. What took the Premier so long raise the alarm bell. He needs some blows on this project. This is a high profile project so he should have had a dash board at the ready informing him on the project. He should have been knocking some heads long time ago. There is a time for carrots and there is time to break the BIG guava stick. You can be fraid. Break out the whooping stick when needed.
  • Observer (16/05/2023, 20:59) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Did it ever occur that the longer the admin building takes to finish is the better for the landlords to pay their mortgage to the banks? Is this really happening by accident or is it by design? Who to blame? Who to blame?
  • Auntie Patsy (16/05/2023, 21:07) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Still making bank so it's all good...you guys take all the time you need.
  • Contractors jokers (16/05/2023, 22:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The joke is in the contracts to none contractors who can only build a 2x4 chicken ???? coop and want build these million contracts but it also the agreement between the builder and the government cause look at the DDM building we sure that a cost over run building when did any minster went and cheek on that jail that building of solid concrete and massive steel because of a hurricane ???? look what is build so was the contractors on that building capable of building such a building sure it dont look so so Mr PM please cheek and see how much over runs it costing the government for such a building and cant finish yet
  • Sowande again.. (17/05/2023, 05:23) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    True. Agree. You are the Premier you are the boss. What the contract says about finishing time? What's your solution? Things need to change around here.
  • CLUB MEMEBERS (17/05/2023, 08:03) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    The Ralph T. O’Neal Central Admin Complex will be completed when Collin O'Neal finish, he over high-priced warehouses in Port Purcell just watch and see. As he got that contract for the complex you see how fast he start them warehouses. THE RICH GETTING RICHER OPEN UP YOUR EYES MY PEOPLE.
    • Long Watery Stupes (17/05/2023, 15:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Club Members....get your facts right......Mr. O'Neal's company was hired to put in the glass windows and doors to close up the building ONLY. Look at the building...... isn't it closed up??? The man did what he was contracted to do!!!! Stupes..... always making comments without facts!!! Go siddung!!!
    • Dripping Watery Stupes (17/05/2023, 20:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Oh boy. You folks really are simple and ignorant. I doubt that Colin O’Neal needs to wait for a government contract to begin a project. Really? Come again.
  • Socrates (17/05/2023, 08:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    For a long, long time, my friends and I had been wondering why this project was taking so long to complete?Furthermore, we also had a myriad of other questions about government construction contracts. In addition, we had been monitoring the comments and noted some bloggers were asking the right questions, ie. Political Analyst, Sowande Again, Disinterested, etc. Heads up, we will be repeating some of the previously asked questions. Here we go:
    1. Why does every major government construction
    construction does not finish on time?
    2. What are the penalties, if any, for contractor-caused delays?
    3. If there are liquidated damages in contract, do they have teeth? Are they so inconsequential and ineffective that it is in the contractor’s interest to just pay the fine/damages than to take the action to finish the project on time?
    4. Do large contracts require the successful bidder/contractor have a minimal level of experience in the work required? Does the successful bidder have to demonstrate responsiveness and responsibility?
    5. Why does every major government construction contract have cost over runs?
    6. Is the cost over runs due to poor estimation by contractor? Is the delay due contractor financial challenges?
    7, Does contractor(s) deliberatively bid low to get the contract and try to make up low bid through contract change orders/modifications?
    7. Does government conduct a government estimate (GE) on every construction contract to compare the low bid or best value bid to ensure that the bid is fair and reasonable?
    8. Does government ever reject a low bid that is way off from its GE? Does it do the same for bids are way over its GE, even if there is a lone bidder?
    9. Do government monitor the bidding process for bidding collusion?
    10. Do government suspend or debar contractors for poor performance and criminal behavior?
    11. How does government protect its GE until bids are opened?
    12. Did government hire an independent, experienced, third party project manager/inspector, eg, Bennet Smith, Glasgow, etc, to manage this project?
    13. Does Civil service, ie, Public Works, MCW, TCP , etc have the experience personnel to manage a project of this scope?
    14. Why did the Premier take so long to speak out? Should not Kye Rhymer, MCW, also be called on the carpet?
    15. What type of project management tool, if any, is being used on this project?
    16. Is this a project that is under the RDA purview?
    17. Does RDA fall under Public Works?
    18. Is the Director of Public Works an engineer and if no should he/she be an engineer? Should the the Water and Sewage Director also be an engineer?
    19. Should Public Works be restructured to include engineering, construction, and inspection, solid waste, etc, and be more than a glorified maintenance unit?


    • Take a Likle Rest (17/05/2023, 09:36) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Socrates take a drink with Aristotle, Plato , and the rest of the boys and cool nah mon. You killing we wid these probing questions and gwoing mek we sick meh son. Dem big boys don’t want to hear about these head aches. They want to dress and come to work and rest. Lol????????
    • @Socrates (17/05/2023, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The real Socrates was a constant figure on the streets of Athens, being an annoyance and peppering the public with tons of Socratic questions. But the real Socrates passed away hundred years ago. But you are alive and well with a wealth of knowledge about construction contracting, apparently. Come forward and help, bro or sis.
  • Forgot (17/05/2023, 09:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Socrates, you forget that every government contract is overpriced in the seven figure , million dollars.
  • DeShawn (17/05/2023, 12:45) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    6 years is nothing - took me 2 years to get me address changed at the bank.
  • Big Richard (17/05/2023, 13:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Should have hired a REAL contractor.
  • Why is this news? (17/05/2023, 18:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is par for the course. Can anyone name any govt project that has been completed on time and within budget? Not acceptable elsewhere but here we keep doing the same thing. If you want to know why, follow the money trail in the land of zero accountability.


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