If there was an overarching theme at the ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday, it was that the Recovery and Development Agency gets things done.
At a podium set up in front of the new Trellis Bay Welcome Centre, government representatives took turns lauding the RDA’s track record.
“Let me make mention of the [RDA], who continues to do an excellent job, and we should all celebrate their success,” Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said. “Indeed, if you want to get a project delivered, you give it to the RDA. That is something that I certainly believe in and I will continue to champion. I’m a big supporter of the RDA.”
The contract for the rest area, which was administered by the agency, was signed with No Limit Construction on June 11 for $271,279.67 to erect a one-storey concrete structure near the ferry dock on Beef Island.
The initial target date for completion was Oct. 1, but the project was delayed until its opening last Thursday, when it was praised by elected representatives from both sides of the House of Assembly.
“It is said that progress delayed is not progress denied,” said opposition member Marlon Penn, who as the Eighth District representative in the HOA represents East End and Beef Island.
Like the premier, Mr. Penn also congratulated the RDA, praising the agency for its successes.
“The RDA continues to prove time and time again that they deliver projects that the territory needs,” Mr. Penn said before directly addressing Mr. Wheatley in the audience. “I want to encourage us as a government, premier: Some of those nagging projects that we can’t get off the ground, let’s give it to the RDA and get them moving. They’ve proven that they have the ability and the capacity to get these things moving.”
‘Hundreds and hundreds’
Though Mr. Penn was largely congratulatory during his brief speech, he also reminded attendees that more work is needed in the Trellis Bay area.
“We need to rebuild infrastructure around the dock,” he said. “We need to improve the security, the light in this area. … We need to improve and spruce up the area.”
“Hundreds and hundreds” of people traverse Trellis Bay each week, necessitating continued efforts to make improvements, according to Mr. Penn.
“I know that the master plan has some expansion of the entire grounds and some additional works that need to be done,” Mr. Penn said, without providing further details on the plan he referenced. “But in the immediate term, I think we need to get the infrastructure up to spec in terms of safety and lighting for persons who traverse this area.”
Within budget
RDA Board Member Marquese Maduro represented the agency at the opening ceremony, speaking just after Delma Maduro, who chairs the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission.
The BVITBFC was the RDA’s “direct client” for the project, and it approached the agency with the vision and initial funding, according to Mr. Maduro.
The welcome centre, he added, was completed “largely within budget and time.”
“I would like to extend gratitude … to our private donor to this project, the Trellis Bay Market Bar and Grill, for partnering with us to brighten up the neighbourhood,” Mr. Maduro said.
He added that the RDA was proud to assist.
“Since its formation following 2017’s devastating storms, the RDA has been proud to play our part in our territory’s recovery and development story,” Mr. Maduro said. “It is against this backdrop that we have partnered with the BVI Tourist Board — and, by extension, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development and the Premier’s Office — in delivering this Trellis Bay rest stop today.”
Ferries on time
Following Mr. Penn’s short address, Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley, who represents Virgin Gorda and Anegada in the HOA, congratulated the RDA and noted the ferry system’s punctual service.
“If you come here at 4:32 p.m., you will not see a beautiful boat out there. It’s Speedy’s [Ferry]: It will be gone at 4:30 p.m.,” the health minister said. “And if you come 4:32 p.m., you’re gonna have to come right here and rest yourself for the next boat, which is 6:30 p.m. And if you come at 6:32 p.m., you have to wait here again until 9.”
Mr. Wheatley, like Mr. Penn, encouraged attendees and anyone watching the ceremony via Facebook to take good care of the area.
“Let’s keep it clean; let’s keep it pristine,” Mr. Wheatley said.
