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VI's potable water network to get upgrades through public-private partnership – Hon Rymer

- expression of interest to be issued soon amidst more infrastructure upgrade works under Ministry Communications & Works
Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has detailed that his ministry will soon be issuing an expression of interest to obtain the services of a reputable and qualified company, to replace and upgrade the water distribution network of the Virgin Islands (VI) through a public-private partnership engagement. Photo: VINO/File
Expression of interest to be issued for the upgrade of the water network soon amidst more infrastructure upgrade works under Ministry Communications & Works. Photo: Internet Source
Expression of interest to be issued for the upgrade of the water network soon amidst more infrastructure upgrade works under Ministry Communications & Works. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has detailed that his ministry will soon be issuing an expression of interest to obtain the services of a reputable and qualified company, to replace and upgrade the water distribution network of the Virgin Islands (VI) through a public-private partnership engagement.

The Minister made the announcement in a statement delivered during the Swearing-In Ceremony and First Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on May 18, 2023.

Hon Rymer detailed, “The ministry has already started working on that. I also want to make note that the Burt Point Sewage Plant would be up and going by summer this year and I look forward to that, we would be able to stop dumping sewage as we're doing it right now.”

He added that the local asphalt plant will also soon be up and running where resurfacing of local roads will commence, “We have the West End Ferry Terminal also and we’re hoping to get that started later this year, and the works continue on the Administration Complex,” he added.

Works ministry don’t get $400M – Hon Rymer

Meanwhile, the minister also detailed it is not the lack of wanting to get outstanding projects done, but due to budget constraints, projects are held back however, the minister expressed optimism that the Minister of Finance has committed to getting more money to achieve all outstanding issues. 

“Madam Speaker I heard the members speak about the annual budget; it sounds good hearing that we have a budget of Four Hundred Million Dollars annually. But I just want persons to know for development projects in my ministry that include water, roads, Administration Complex, Burt Point Sewage Plant, East End Long Look Sewage Plant, we only get Madam Speaker $12 to $16 million dollars of that budget to get anything done.”

Hon Rymer said while there are quite a lot of projects to complete, some policy changes will also come to the HoA in the new sitting.

“Madam Speaker, we must focus, and our ministry we will focus on improving our water supply, improving our sewage system, and developing renewable energy, road improvement, enhancing transportation, and improving the city of Road Town,” he said. 

42 Responses to “VI's potable water network to get upgrades through public-private partnership – Hon Rymer”

  • purcell (20/05/2023, 13:45) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    Watee locking off at nights in purcell araea is a problem for me who is taking care of my elderly Mom. A woman who paid taxes all her life cannot enjoy her last days going to the rest room more than once a night because water is off. smh. This is unacceptable.
    • Remove the Green Cloth Across From The New View Inn (20/05/2023, 16:05) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
      Start with removing that green cloth on the lamppost across from the New View Inn.

      Why are our requests being ignored and why is it the only one still up?
      • @Remove the Green Cloth Across From The New View Inn (20/05/2023, 21:44) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
        Just get your behind up and move it yourself. Tired of you blogging the same foolishness.
    • Small Island. (20/05/2023, 17:13) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      We live in a small Island surrounded by unlimited water no more that ten feet from land, We shouldn't have these water issues that we are having and we should not be paying high prices for water...Something just aint right..
      • @Small Island. (20/05/2023, 21:47) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
        What is not right is the millions of dollars the government is trapped to continue to pay Biwater for the questionable contract Julian Fraser signed with them from years ago. This is going with the money which could be used to resolve the water issues. Fraser needs to be held accountable for this bogus deal as it continues to negatively affect the people of the BVI.
        • Tom Foolery (21/05/2023, 18:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          ThIs water situation is incomprehensible.20+ years we have been denied our human rights if water and breathable clean air. Yet swimming pools of resorts are supplied,health spas are wet and steamy, many water trucks with owners of questionable means are offering this liquid gold at premium cost.
        • @@small island (22/05/2023, 11:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          That's not the problem. Tell Hon. Premier to Fund the Ministry to fix the infrastructure.
      • Stealth (20/05/2023, 21:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        True, we live close to the water and therefore it should be a problem getting reliable water supply. However, may be a number og challenges delivering, a) cost, b)structural. desalination is expensive; costing more than traditional sources, ie, brackish water, etc. Though improvement in reverse osmosis is driving the cost down, estimated average cost to produce a 1000 gallons is $5-10. On the other hand, the structural challenge is a self -inflicted, unforced error, ie, poor planning and organizing, poor operations and maintenance, poor storage, poor conveyance and distribution, poor leadership(putting square pegs in round holes), poor administration, etc. Complete revamping needed.
        • @Stealth (21/05/2023, 13:20) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
          The BVI like putting square pegs in round holes. Look around the territory, ie, Public Works, Water and Sewage, etc. we expect these people to get required skills by osmosis, instead of hard work and years of study and experience.
          • @@Stealth (22/05/2023, 11:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            You would have noticed that those departments had all engineers until recently. The problems started there and got worse but why? Ask sir Willock.
          • @@steath (22/05/2023, 11:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            Nothing is wrong with the directors. Tell the minister to fight to get the departments properly funded. This is not the Dolly house like what he played down at DMV. Thanks to the Skelton guy at dmv who was the brains. You think anyone will pick up a role to fail? You won't do it so why would anyone else do it. Throw the blame where it needs to be not on a PS or Directors. When the departments are fully funded then we can see.
            • Stealth (22/05/2023, 13:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
              If we continue to put square pegs in round holes, we will continue to get poor results. Do we put a carpenter to perform open heart surgery, etc? No. We give that responsibility to a trained and certified physician. Do we put an HR technician to design a church? No. We put a qualified and experienced architect or civil engineer, especially professionals with experience designing churches, etc. Of course, adequate funding is needed to get the job done. The Director of Water and Sewage, Director of Public Works, etc are premier technical advisors to the minister in their technical speciality area. If the minister, HoA, etc has a technical question on water, they should feel confident calling the Director directly and feeling assured they will get a strong, solid answer. One cannot provide strong, solid advice on subjects that one does not know pullet from fowl on. The minister is at the apex of the administration triangle and should not be expected to have as much technical knowledge about a function(s) as people further down towards the base of the triangle. The minister’s responsibility is to make sure things gets done efficiently and effectively.
    • Smelly Water (21/05/2023, 11:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      While upgrading, please please check the contents of the water because the water that is coming through the pipes smells very disgusting. I remember 20 yrs ago, you could drink the street water now you can hardly cook with it. Don't know if these people working with the water machine companies. So please go and see if these reservoirs are being cleaned.
      • Political analyst (21/05/2023, 13:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Smelly Water, indeed. I inadvertently forget to notice this in my comment. In revamping the water resources program, a water laboratory is needed to test the safety and quality of potable water, and quality of wastewater being pumped into the ocean/sea.
  • pat (20/05/2023, 13:51) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    No more excuses get it done!
  • Alot of talk (20/05/2023, 14:53) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    but no action
  • rattie (20/05/2023, 14:59) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    They need a good director at water and Sweage
    • @rattie (20/05/2023, 16:10) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      They moved or tried to move all so it can't be a Director again. Fund the department.
    • @rattie (22/05/2023, 09:24) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Pearline Scatliffe-Leonard was a good Water and Sewage Director. However, she was severely handicapped by lack of resources, lack of priority, support, direction, etc, from the ministry. Water and sewage is a vital function but it can not blossomed without adequate resources , even with a magician in place.
  • WEW (20/05/2023, 15:07) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    "budget constraints" Apparently not the travel budget.
    • @wew (21/05/2023, 07:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      you said it .
      Not to mention paying one family in Sea Cow Bay a million dollars per year ( for how many year i dont know).......thats ONE family......for a facility that gets used a few times per year, yet we all suffering from no water, and no incinerator....when all we hear about is government cant do this and cant do that because of budget constraints.........government need to prioritize its spending.
      • To@wew (21/05/2023, 16:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        You are on target. What is worse is he is the one stating he is bringing votes of no confidence in the government before anything starts and the opposition made him the shadow minister for the same ministry where he did the deal when he was minister. Talk about rat mining cheese.
  • and so (20/05/2023, 15:50) Like (12) Dislike (16) Reply
    I live in purcell too..god man it aint like you talking we steady have flow of water,,yes some tinesthe water goès,, but why not fill emty bucket to help ,,buckets are cheaps get some and when the wsters goes you have wster to use,,,my mom is 87 yrs , she make aure shw never out of qater...some time we sound like them lazy who try not ti help themself..
    Sometime tbe goes so they can had treatment

    Wby so
    • True but (20/05/2023, 16:07) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
      But you think in 2023 people need to be filling buckets. I could understand if a hurricane coming and you making sure you have water for the aftermath of a disaster but water should be flowing everyday non stop
    • resident (20/05/2023, 18:11) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
      with our budget our water shouldn't be going off at all, this is third world
    • Not think (21/05/2023, 08:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      In this century paying water bills you’re saying to fill buckets, how tacky to have buckets and some have even Clorox bottles all through the their homes like third world countries. It’s disgusting.
  • Political analyst (20/05/2023, 15:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Virgin Islands is a small, 36 islands, 59 square mile, ~30,000 population, etc, water challenged, bedroom community. Water is life. And a safe, clean, reliable and secure potable water supply is critical to meeting the social and economic growth and development basic needs of the people and the territory. To date, the territory has earned an “ F” a miserable failing grade in meeting its water resources need, ,ie, water, sewage, stormwater. Potable water supply is inadequate, and unreliable. Its safety and quality is ???????. Raw sewage runs in the street, raw sewage is dumped in the pristine waters, polluting the waters and creating a health and safety hazard environment. Stormwater(drainage)at best is a challenge. Moreover, the Minister of Communications and Works (name change needed, eg, minister of Public works, Utilities and Engineering) is indicating that upgrades to the water resources network, ie, water and sewage, is on the horizon thru a public-private venture. That is a good start but a few questions come to mine. Was the Bi-water project a Build, Operate and Transfer(turnover) operations? Has the system been turn over to the government as yet?? If no why not and what is the status? Why the noise on Bi-water is down to a whimper? Did Seven Seas had something to do with it it? Further, currently water operations is heavily subsidized by the taxpayers/government and at last report it was taking in a measly $5M and government was subsidizing its operations with a whopping $22M. If it were a private business operation, the operators would have put some locks on the doors and close up shop a long time ago. With the new plan, will water be a self-supporting operation? If no how much subsidies will be needed? Will water be privatized? Currently, much water volume is lost through constantly running leaks. What is the plan, if any, to arrest the problem? It is wasteful, inefficient, costly and not rocket science to arrest, if any one cares. Common on mon!!!! The poor, long-suffering water customers need some relief. Oh what a relief it will be if were that most times if one turn on the tap or hit the flush valve and there was water flowing. Oh what a glorious feeling and convenience. This is a quality of life and standard of living First World issue.

    Moreover, I’’m assuming that as a minimum the plan is stop raw sewage from running in the street, exposing residents to an unhealthy and hazardous condition, and to treat sewage at least at the secondary level before being discharged into the pristine waters. Does the plan include at least one central sewage treatment plant for Tortola? Furthermore, will the requirements for septic systems, especially at multi-family dwellings be strengthened, commensurate with building occupancy. It seems that holding tanks may too small to hold waste for st least the minimum yime( ~ 3 days) to allow anaerobic bacteria to break down the solids into a liquid form for further treatment.
    • Frig…. (21/05/2023, 06:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Boi/gwal, Political Analyst, you are wait, wait, for it…..you are a frig, exposing dirty laundry and keeping it real.Lol, Lol. For true, what happen to BI-Water? Is all well with it? It fix itself over time or self-interest grease the skids and brought deafening silence? You mean to tell me road work is not rocket science? So why we in the BVI behaving and accepting like it is ? We nyam our school fee? But geez dum bred some of us went school for free. Sh…t I nearly crater my jeep in this monster pothole but my front end and suspension needs fix where do I send my bill MCW Kye? Dodging potholes is a new game in the BVI. Will it catch fire elsewhere? Jokes aside, the bad road condition is serious and embarrassing, shameful situation. Let’s geh ah dun rite nah!!!
  • HMMM (20/05/2023, 16:09) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    This guy is flashy but a waste of time. Most things under his responsibility are failures. Just name it and then analyze it and see for yourself.
    • @hmmm (20/05/2023, 21:59) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well said. Just look at the water situation, the sewage, Electricity, roads, implementation of the use of the market square, and the list goes on. He is a master at wining people's heart but the reality on the ground suggests he is not as successful as he has persons thinking. He always shifts blame for his shortcomings and never takes responsibility.
      • To @hmmm (21/05/2023, 10:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        ...you forgot the Government Administration complex he is fixing for years.
  • ... (20/05/2023, 16:17) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I live in the 5th something you would be lucky enough to have enough water pressure to full up a bucket
  • one eye (20/05/2023, 16:46) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    We live next to the sea but can’t get water
  • Ho,ho (20/05/2023, 16:50) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ho ho a other million in the sky
  • Stealth (20/05/2023, 17:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    $16M of the $400M for capital expenditure (CapEx )equates to 4%. Given the condition, backlog of CapEx projects needed, a more prudent CapEx expenditure is 4% of GDP or $40M (assuming $1B GDP). And even $40M CapEx is still only 10% of the $400 annual Operations & Maintenance Budget. As the capital needs are built out, the CapEx budget can be commensurately reduced. Nevertheless, the maintenance budget would need to be increased. With an increasing CapEx budget allocation increasing, there must be a robust effort to ensure that the taxpayers get quality , and a fair and reasonable price for work put in place (WIP). In another commentary, the Hon Kye Rymer noted that the new asphalt plant will reduce road cost and deliver better roads. Well, I have different take on that. First, a new asphalt coat/layer over a failed road gives the appearance of a good road. It is a mirage, for that surface will be short lived, ie, the cracks, potholes , etc will soon repair, disappointing road users and repeating the work that was recently done with additional cost. The reality is the fix for a failed road is reconstruction, ie, subgrade, base, surface course with a proper crown and cross slope and proper drainage. Anything else is growing good money at bad..Road work is not rocketing science , but it is eating the BVI lunch. Civil engineering principles sre the same in Timbuktu, London, Atlanta, Paris, Beijing, Lagos, Cairo, Bridge Town and Road Town. Our local civil engineers must take pride in their work, showcasing their knowledge and skills. If it is not the engineers , then the top brass need to give the trained professionals the resources and let them do their thing, getting the hell out of the way doing what they do best finding resources and representing. .
    • Political Strategist (22/05/2023, 07:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      4% of GDP for CapEx is a prudent, practical, reasonable and affordable plan of action. Properly planned and executed, this plan would put the BVI on a First World development track. 4% of the current GDP is $40,000,000, and 10% of the current budget. That is also a prudent and practical figure. Where will the $40M come from? Fees, taxes and borrowing. The BVI needs to restructure:revamp its budgeting process, thinking outside the proverbial sandbox. It needs a 1) Operations and Maintenance, and 2) Capital budgets. This will require two authorization and appropriation actions by the HoA. Virgin Islanders have a burning desire for increasing services but show a disdain for any increase of taxes and fees to pay for increased services. The BVI has a service-based economy with its revenue stream coming from fees and taxes; it has no natural resources, ie, oil, precious metals, etc, it can depend on. It also does not have the cash reserve. Consequently, it has to borrow to meet its growth and development needs. It has the capacity to borrow, for it has a low debt to GDP ratio of less than 20%. Truth be told. The U.K. is not going to fund our needs; they will only try to control what we do. They would claim they have their own challenges. Not much help is coming from others either. The BVI have to fund its own needs. This calls for strong, effective leadership. We cannot just play around the outer bands; we need to delve into the nucleus. We are small but think and act prudently BIG.
      • @political strategists (22/05/2023, 11:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        The UK right. You know how much money passed through our hands. We are ridiculously stupid or willful if we don't see. All now our premier building his own homes, not even 1 but people in this country can barely survive. We are looking to see if Wheatley is going to give Wheatley that lucrative contract. Using tax payers dollars to make deals that are not helping the country. Set of crabs.
      • English Taxpayer (22/05/2023, 13:38) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        England taxpayers are not going give you incompetent, corrupt, etc, and ungrateful, bloaks any of our hard earned money. Additionally, we not giving any loans either but may consider guaranteeing a loan.
  • RedStorm (20/05/2023, 21:03) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Giving private entity partial work for water. It seems we have learnt our lesson. fixing water problem for a period is insane. We have BI water with some millions of dollars to be paid . Are we repeating the same. Find another solution where it does not involved overseas companies to help with water problems.
    • Disinterested (21/05/2023, 13:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Redstorm, I’m not averse to qualified, experienced, responsible and r responsive local company(s) getting preferential acceptance to acquire contracts to provide public goods and services. If our local people don’t have skills to singularly deliver services, they should work collectively, cooperatively and collaboratively work with other locals to deliver the services. Instead, what invariably happens is every Tom, Makela, Kwame , Jane, etc who can hardly pound a nail straight wants to be a sole independent contractor. Nonsense. I can feel hate coming but fuh me kin tough his like old wife. A good project for HLSCC to explore and launch is an “Incubator Programme.” After Hurricane Irma, there was or seem to be an initiative to get people qualified as craftsman in various skillsets. Here is a news flash. It takes thousands of hours to get qualified as journeyman electrician electrician, plumber, etc. Someone told us there is stigma to work outdoors with our hands and that those types of jobs are for others. Foolhardy nonsense. Someone has to build and maintain the mansions we want to live up on hills that are the envy of others from across the pond, to repair and maintain the foreign cars we live to sport around and show off in, etc. Locals need to take advantage of the Technical School. Not all students have the skill or interest to pursue professional scholastic skills; some are interested in technical skills. Get off are you “clean and cool” nonsense and get to work, using some tools, test equipment, etc.
  • usvi (20/05/2023, 21:08) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    up to now they cant get water flowing in west end romney park and sky glass just imaging that aint too far from main road
  • Irma Chisit (22/05/2023, 06:20) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Funny lot you Virgin Islanders. Not a peep from you all at election time. All you talked about corruptions. No minister talked about issues facing our territory. So what you did was elect the same party.
    Forget moaning because it's your fault. You voted your boy in.


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