Local News
Rehabilitation of Historic Old Administration Building on Main Street Underway Following Delays
After initial setbacks due to Tropical Storm Ernesto, rehabilitation of the historic Old Administration Building on Main Street, Tortola, has officially commenced. The first phase of the project will focus on restoring the building’s front-facing façade, which includes replacing structural support members and all metallic features to enhance safety for both pedestrians and motorists.
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome, MBE, emphasized the importance of the project in preserving the building’s historical value. “The Old Administration Building on Main Street represents a vital period in the history of the Virgin Islands and the Public Serv
ice,” she stated. “We must do whatever is possible to maintain the integrity of these historical structures. The Old Administration Building provided a solid foundation for some of the Public Service’s earliest days, and we must do whatever is necessary to preserve the history that these walls hold.”
Public Estate Manager, Floyd Stoutt, echoed this sentiment, describing the rehabilitation effort as a testament to the Office of the Deputy Governor’s dedication to maintaining government-owned properties, particularly those with historical significance. Stoutt led a walk-through of the building in June with prospective contractors to outline the scope of the work required. Originally completed in 1866, the building has a rich history, having housed various government agencies, including the Chief Minister’s Office, the High Court Registry, and Customs.
The contract for the project was awarded to GND Construction, with the first phase slated for completion by November 2024.
Motorists and pedestrians are advised to exercise caution while traveling in the vicinity during the construction period.
Education
HLSCC Expands Global Educational Pathway with CMI Level 3 Diploma
Business
British Virgin Islands Seeks Consultancy for Digital Economy Overhaul
The government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has issued a tender for proposals to revolutionise its digital economy. This ambitious project will involve the development of digital identities, ID systems, payment platforms and data exchange frameworks. The winning bid will be responsible for evaluating the current state of government agencies and the territory’s digital public infrastructure.
According to the tender released on September 12, the chosen consultant will report directly to the Permanent Secretary and collaborate closely with the Digital Transformation Steering Committee. The consultancy will be structured into three key phases:
Phase One: Digital Maturity Assessment
This phase will involve assessing the current digital maturity of government entities by identifying gaps and benchmarking against best practices. The assessment will cover IT infrastructure, policies, platform development and maintenance, service delivery channels, data management practices, and the digital literacy of government employees.
Phase Two: Strategy Development and Implementation Roadmap
In this phase, the consultant will develop a comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy and an implementation roadmap. This will include outlining initiatives, timelines, resource allocation, prioritisation, risk management, and a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.
Phase Three: Enabling Environment
The final phase will focus on reviewing the existing legal, regulatory, and policy framework. The consultant will propose reforms to align with international standards and best practices in data protection, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
The tender explained that this phase will also aim to promote innovation and growth in the digital economy while safeguarding public interest and consumer rights. Additionally, it will ensure that digital transformation efforts are inclusive and suited to the specific context of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The consultant will also conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity framework.
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