Government signs new contract for road paving on Tortola

Premier Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE shares a handshake with General Manager of BVI Paving Limited, Mr. Mark Simmonds after signing a $550,000 contract for the company to pave a section of road from Carrot Bay to cane Garden Bay. Also pictured is Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Julian Frazer, RA. Photo credit: Mr. Aldrin Rabsatt/GIS

Under the contract signed with BVI Paving Limited on Friday, the section of road from the Isabella Morris Primary School in Carrot Bay to The Wedding in Cane Garden Bay will be paved with 2,525 tons of asphalt.

Speaking at the contract signing, Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE said the section of the road to be paved was in serious disrepair.

“The last time I drove over that section from Windy Hill to Cane Garden Bay, there were more potholes than there were surfaced portions of the road and I said this cannot remain so any longer,” the Premier said. He added “the road was in terrible condition and I said we have to do better than that.”

Revealing that the cost of the project is more than that of a petty contract, the Premier said Cabinet decided to waive the tender process because of the urgency of the work needed. “If you follow the Public Finance Management Law which was passed in 2004, this project would have gone into the stewing pot, it would have taken another year for the tender process,” Honourable O’Neal said.

He further stated that “Cabinet must be able to make certain decisions to push forward this country and not have it lagging back and projects standing still because of the rules which says projects over $100,000 must go to tender.

The Premier also congratulated Mr. Simmonds on his accomplishments and for agreeing to undertake the project. “I am very proud of you, proud of what you have contributed to the country and what you will continue to contribute. As I pointed out to the Cabinet, it is the only paving company in the BVI.”

Honourable O’Neal also noted that it is imperative to support local businesses and award them contracts within their capabilities. “What our people can do, we have to encourage them to do and we will do that.”  ~~Adz:Right~~

The Premier cautioned the contractor to deliver as promised because he will be keeping a close eye on the project.

Friday’s contract signing was witnessed by Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Julian Frazer, RA who echoed the sentiments expressed by the Premier. “Urgency is key here and that is exactly the reason we went to BVI Paving Limited,” he said.

Honourable Frazer noted that although a milling machine has been purchased for the Public Works Department to facilitate road surfacing, the private sector remains a partner in the process of development. “We must acknowledge the private sector in whatever we do and therefore it is necessary for us to distribute some of the work to the private sector.”

Providing brief remarks, the contractor said he is happy to have been awarded the contract. “I will try my best to do a good a job as possible,” he said. Mr. Simmonds also called for more local contractors to benefit from Government projects.

Work on the project is expected to begin on November 24 and is expected to be completed within two weeks.
Government is committed to the modernisation and expansion of the network of roads throughout the Territory.