Taxpayers incurring over $2m each year in rent- Hon Kye M. Rymer
“Taxpayers are currently incurring over $2 million each year in rents and related costs for ministries and departments housed in temporary facilities — including additional fit-outs and office space requirements that were not originally part of the Complex — expenses that will be avoided once staff return to the RTOAC. Bringing offices back together will improve inter-agency collaboration, reduce recurring expenditure, and enhance public service delivery.”
In a comprehensive update on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Hon Rymer said he recognises the frustration caused by the extended timeline of the project and that the government shares that frustration and is determined to complete the RTOAC as quickly and responsibly as possible.
Works in progress
A new elevator in the West Atrium is under construction by Building Construction Management; however, installation is about one year behind schedule. Hon Rymer said the ministry is in communication with the company to resolve logistical issues and complete installation and commissioning without further delay.
The Minister for Communications also noted that Biogerm Solutions has been engaged for mould remediation and that all basement files have been safely removed; cleaning and restoration of those records will begin within two to three weeks with scheduled completion set for November 2025.
Honourable Rymer added that OBM International (OBMI) was engaged for the interior and external design packages that were expected in June 2025 but was extended to accommodate changes following the 2023 election, including the reassignment and establishment of new ministries. The design packages include full office fit-out details such as seating, partitions and walls, lighting, MEP integration, ICT provisioning, security, and finishing specifications, all of which must reflect those staff and functional requirements.
"OBMI is behind the adjusted schedule: designs are now expected in October 2025. That delay has shifted the procurement timetable; tendering will now begin in November 2025, moving the overall project timeline back by approximately two months. OBMI has completed about 70% of the design work, and the Ministry continues to press for timely delivery and quality outputs.”
Full commissioning by 2nd quarter of 2027
Minister Rymer indicated that The Ministry of Finance has begun procurement of long-lead MEP equipment under the Caribbean Development Bank loan facility, which includes $5.6 million for MEP and ICT outfitting.
The ministry is expected to award contracts in December with the intention to mobilise a contractor on site by January 2026. Substantial completion is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, with full commissioning by the second quarter of 2027.
"Where contractors or consultants are behind schedule, the Ministry is pursuing practical solutions and enforcing contractual measures as needed to keep the project moving. We understand the public’s desire to see this project completed and are doing everything within our authority to deliver results as quickly and efficiently as possible. Regular updates will continue as work progresses," Hon Rymer promised.
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16 Responses to “Taxpayers incurring over $2m each year in rent- Hon Kye M. Rymer”
This is straight up unacceptable and the people in the BVI will just stand aside and look or go in a rum shop to talk shit.
Many bloggers are asking why not throw it down and start a fresh? Well, the time for that is long past as since 2017 the Government has spent so much money, millions and millions on this renovation, because it cannot be a rehabilitation project eight years later, that it would be grounds for immediate dismissal of this Minister.
Voting has consequences and it is past time that the people of this country seriously consider the persons running for office carefully and base their decisions on not personality, but management skills and fiscal resonsibility, work ethic etc. Also their financial situation prior to running for office is imperative.