Roadtown, Tortola - Government signed a $1.9M contract with Mr. Gerald Roy of Roy’s Construction Inc. based in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands for the removal and replacement of the existing roofing system at the Central Administration Building.
Premier Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, signed the contract on behalf of the Government at a ceremony yesterday. In his remarks, the Premier said Government has gone through great pains to find out the cause of the poor air quality issues affecting the Central Administration Building and finally the Ministry of Communications and Works has come to the conclusion that Roy’s Construction Inc. will help solve the air quality concerns.
Also present and witnessing the Premier’s signature was Mr. Gary Penn, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works. “This occasion is the culmination of a long arduous road,” Mr. Penn said.
The Roof Replacement Project is a part of a bigger project known as the Air Quality Improvement Project. “For us to start looking at the improvement of the quality of air within the complex, we have to control the moisture. We must take care of all of the leaks by fixing the roof and then start working down from there,” Mr. Penn further stated.
Speaking on behalf of Roy’s Construction Inc., which was awarded the contract through the tendering process, contractor Mr. Gerald Roy assured the Government that their system will work.
“This is a landmark job both in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and we have done two others. It is a very good system and there are four ways to stop the water and moisture from coming in so there is no way that you will have water coming in after the work is done,” Mr. Roy added.
Also in attendance were Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mrs. Rosalie Adams, Financial Secretary, Mr. Neil Smith, and Supervisor of Elections Ms. Juliette Penn who served as the notary public.
In recent years Government has been making strides to improve the air quality of the Central Administration Building. In 2006, In-Viro Care Inc. conducted an assessment of the building which revealed the presence of high levels of humidity due to the current design of the air condition system. Interim works were completed to improve the air quality such as the patching of the roof and instituting a routine cleaning maintenance schedule by the Facilities Management Unit.
The signing of the contract with Roy’s Construction Inc. is the next step taken by Government to improve the air quality issues affecting the building. According to the contract, works are expected to begin in early August and completed by the end of this year.
The Ministry of Communications and Works is committed to ensuring the continued development and maintenance of the Central Administration Building in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other international standards.
British Virgin Islands News