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US$370K contract signed for design of Immigration Detention Centre

Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) Mr Anthony S. McMaster, right, sings the contract as Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) stated. Photo: RDA
Immigration Department currently houses detainees at Hotel Castle Maria in McNamara. Photo: VINO/File
Immigration Department currently houses detainees at Hotel Castle Maria in McNamara. Photo: VINO/File
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Nadia Demming-Hodge at the contract signing for the Design and Construction Management of the Immigration Detention Centre on June 12, 2025. Photo: RDA
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Nadia Demming-Hodge at the contract signing for the Design and Construction Management of the Immigration Detention Centre on June 12, 2025. Photo: RDA
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was in January of this year that the Immigration Department of the Virgin Islands (VI) announced plans for a state-of-the-art detention facility that reflects a modern and progressive approach towards management and human rights.

On Thursday, 12 June 2025, a contract for the Design and Construction Management of the facility was signed, marking a significant step toward strengthening the Virgin Islands’ national security infrastructure. 

The contract valued at US$370,000.00 was awarded to Trojan Design and Development Ltd, following a Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) procurement method.

'Safe, humane & dignified environment'

According to the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), the new centre will temporarily house individuals for immigration-related matters in a safe, humane, and dignified environment, with separate quarters, medical triage, and recreational spaces.

"Led by the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) and funded through the Government’s $100M loan facility with CIBC, the 12,000 sq. ft. facility is a vital investment in responsible immigration enforcement," RDA stated on its Facebook post on June 16, 2025.

The Department of Immigration previously stated that the facility would prioritise both security and dignity, ensuring that individuals in custody are treated humanely and that their basic needs are met, with a design that aligns with international standards for humane treatment.

20 Responses to “US$370K contract signed for design of Immigration Detention Centre ”

  • Wasteful spending (17/06/2025, 08:10) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    Another hotel for the unlawful?
    I need some of that money to pay my bills and buy food please.
  • WHAT??? (17/06/2025, 08:51) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    All that for design only. Naah. That's a waste. Way too much.. So there is no one at RDA or PWD can do that Job.? If not then something is wrong with those dept.
    • Tigress (17/06/2025, 10:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      really???? all that for design alone that is rediculous spending so where is the designated location for.the center and when is the estimated time to begin work and why all of.that "dignified" space for temporary shelter and will these potential refugees appreciate such a space or will they remove the AC gorge windows and doors for escape???? it would be good if we the residents are told of the plsn before these contracts are signed.. seems like the ministers planning long term stay for these people. Can someone give an uodate on the status of the last set of refugees detained are they here have they been repatriated inquiring minds want ro know
    • Agree (17/06/2025, 11:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      i well i agree look at the roads,water situation, cost how living in the bvi,jobs and our education system tell me why we paying tax for?
  • WOWO (17/06/2025, 09:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    what happen to fixing the road up hope hill? that bit is undrivable. at this point i am not sure if its a series of pot hole or is it a road
  • BRAD BOYNES (17/06/2025, 09:08) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is not really needed at this time.
    • Cb (17/06/2025, 16:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It will be needed very soon when we have to detain the masses Trump is sending out of America. Many of them from the Caribbean going to find themselves right here on this Little Rock. In fact, there are some that needs to be collected right now.
  • Tigress (17/06/2025, 10:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    can we the people be told who owns trojan designs why do ministers persist to inform us of the.company that is doing this or that and omit the name of the.owners of these companies seem undignified to me
  • smdh (17/06/2025, 10:31) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well bwoi, we in the deep sewerage like the kind running in our streets. How about state of the art water supply system? you know, basic human need? Me aint shower for 4 days now boss. is bucket and bowl like me in the 1980's. but here we are commencing the process of building a state of the art immigration center and this is only for the design. any state of the art road any time soon? or we gah invest in dingy to travers the water ways cause soon we aint gone have vehicles. Our leaders love us, I could feel it
  • smh (17/06/2025, 10:42) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where will it be located? Can't build a much needed Pu b lic Library,; where is Althea Scatliffe Primary Scool? Why hasn't the Central Administration been completed (renovation); Why was the Community Center in Belle View not rebuilt; What about the Fisheries Depot; an elaborate facility for felons( that's what they are because they are coming to the Territory as illegal (breaking the law) and are going to be given treatment as luxurious Tourist with high-end amenities. In the meanwhile locals and residents alike are struggling in an abandoned infrastructure and high cost of living.
  • TruDat! (17/06/2025, 11:14) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    And just like that another $300k+ dissapears on a project that will never be built. Money laundering 101.
  • Senior native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (17/06/2025, 14:12) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    All persons that knowingly broke the B.V.I entry laws, exept for children, elderly over 80 years, and proven sick ones, should be put in prison, provided for, and protected within 1 to 3 days maximum, except for storms delay asap, or until the earliest departure date. This may cost less than $370,000, 00 plus unseen charges of rising cost now unknown, in my opinion.
  • smh (17/06/2025, 14:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why and how is Trojan getting all these Government contracts? Enquiring minds want to know.
  • school children (17/06/2025, 16:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is that more important than building back the school that they break down how much years now disgrace
  • BuzzBvi (17/06/2025, 17:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They probably going to model it on the Welcome Centre in Trellis. People won't know which on they are in. Try and make the doors close on this one or people just going walk out like people can walk in on you sat on the toilet in the new Welcome Centre.
  • Junie (17/06/2025, 17:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Am I the only one wondering how this building would take precedent over a home for the elderly? For goodness sake, we already have the land for that home, if I’m not mistaken, plans were already drawn up and approved. So how could this have happened?
  • Wawww (17/06/2025, 18:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So many other important needs in this country. Waste of our tax money. Think again, then come again
  • Unbelievable (17/06/2025, 20:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Since our elected officials (especially the Ministers) can’t see that they are walking around naked like the Emperor; then somebody needs to tell them. Charity begins at home and there are so many social ills that need to be addressed in this country that is ignored day after day including the vagrants begging and attacking people on the streets, the lack of water and don’t forget the rebuilding of the Althea Scatliffe School, the school in Carrot Bay, the Cultural Center in Road Town, Prospect Reef Hotel plus so much more. And here they are, going to build detention center to house illegal immigrants. This is madness to the highest degree. Where is the priority? I ask this solemn question again, where is the priority? It is obvious that something is wrong with the management of this country.
  • struppesss. (17/06/2025, 21:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    lets be fu***ng real with our selves for ones! I can build that damn center for close to that kind of money I talking facts I've done this before, How the hell all this money just for a design until when we going continue to get r@pe of our tax dollars sG!@ is ridiculous every damn thing need to be so inflated you all just ridiculous all u need is a darn hall with mini beds is not a hotel, detention center should not even be more than two days send people back home on the next flight and done what you going do with them we really does waste money on bu!! sh!@ in this place, and up to now the classroom them hot hot hot!! no fans working no AC for teachers and students this place just Ludacris now man sickning!!!

  • Design for free (17/06/2025, 22:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Concrete block, small windows, security contract


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