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Virgin Islands to Host 67th Session of Caribbean Meteorological Council

Editor — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 18:55:52 +0000

The Government of the Virgin Islands will host the 67th Session of the Caribbean Meteorological Council (CMC) from November 18 to 22, welcoming regional leaders responsible for meteorological initiatives.

Honourable Kye M. Rymer, Minister for Communications and Works, emphasised the importance of this gathering, which will include ministers, permanent secretaries, and directors from across the Caribbean. “The Caribbean Meteorological Organisation (CMO) collaborates with key sectors sensitive to weather and climate impacts, suc

h as aviation, disaster management, agriculture, water resources, health, energy, tourism, and finance,” Rymer stated. “As we witness climate change effects in our region, these discussions are essential. The impacts are not in the future—they are affecting us now.”

The council will focus on strengthening CMO Member States’ capabilities to deliver reliable and accessible meteorological services, along with supporting a sustainable observation network to aid these services.

The opening ceremony will be accessible to the public through live-streaming on the Government of the Virgin Islands’ Facebook page, with media invited to cover the event. All subsequent sessions will be held in private.

As a specialized agency within the Caribbean Community, the Caribbean Meteorological Organisation coordinates scientific and technical initiatives related to weather, climate, and water sciences across 16 English-speaking Caribbean nations, including the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Minister Rymer

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Better Management of Water Distribution Network in the Pipeline

Editor — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 16:47:22 +0000

The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, has signed a major contract with Water Research Centre Limited (WRC) for leak detection services. This initiative aims to curtail non-revenue water and enhance local capacity in leak detection, promising a more efficient and reliable water distribution network for the Territory.

The $104,750 contract is designed to boost the skills of local contractors and the Water and Sewerage Department in identifying and managing water leaks. This project will see experts working closely with community personnel to locate both visible and non-visible leaks within the BVI water distribution system. The consultancy is set to last six weeks, with completion anticipated by October 15, 2024.

At the contract signing ceremony on July 11, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye Rymer emphasised the importance of this project. “Leak detection is an ongoing challenge, and it is essential to critically understand why some persons are not receiving water. We have embarked on this project because we understand that there is quite a lot of theft but there is quite a lot of leaks on the system and it is essential for us to identify those,” he said.

Minister Rymer added, “There needs to be a holistic approach in terms of leak detection throughout the Territory, knowing that we have age-old infrastructure.”

Chief Executive Officer of the RDA, Mr. Anthony McMaster, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “At the RDA, we are excited by the Ministry’s intention to address this persistent issue. This project is designed along the spheres of one of RDA’s three remits. We are linked to capacity building and the Ministry saw an opportunity to utilise this project to build the capacity of not only the Water and Sewerage Department but also private personnel,” McMaster stated.

“This project will not be a one-time fix but will create new industries in the Territory,” he added.

Supporting the project, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mrs. Elvia Smith Maduro remarked, “The matter of a consistent, reliable source of potable water is very important for us as the Ministry responsible for Infrastructure and in support of the Minister in achieving the legislative agenda for this important and critical component of the infrastructure of the Territory.”

Andy Blackhall, Managing Director of Water Research Centre Limited, praised the Government’s proactive measures. “The actions that the Government is taking in initiating this capacity building programme are timely and important. We look forward to working with you to share best practices, to focus on training, building capacity, technologies and materials, and all the things that go towards providing safe, clean drinking water to the people that inhabit these islands,” Blackhall said.

The ‘Leak Detection Consultancy’ contract marks the first phase of a three-phase Water Optimisation Programme with the RDA. Subsequent phases include the ‘Supply and Installation of Water Meters for Reservoirs across the British Virgin Islands’ and the ‘Supply and Installation of Domestic Water Meters across the BVI.’

The contract signing was also attended by Acting Director of Water and Sewerage Department Mr. Brian Davis, RDA Project Manager Mrs. Nioka Anderson Murray, and RDA Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Mrs. Tifanie Robinson.

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BVIEC’s STEP Initiative Set to Slash Electricity Bills by 50%

Editor — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:02:58 +0000

Minister of Communication & Works, Kye Rymer, announced the launch of the Solar Technology Energy Program (STEP) at a press conference today, April 18, highlighting its potential to slash electricity costs for residential customers by up to 50%.

The STEP initiative, spearheaded by the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), aims to alleviate the burden of high electricity bills while advancing the transition to cleaner energy sources.

“Under the STEP initiative, BVIEC will cover the upfront costs of equipment and installation, marking a significant departure from traditional models,” Minister Rymer explained. “Participants will benefit from grid tie systems, harnessing solar energy to offset reliance on imported fuel and reduce overall electricity expenses.”

Minister Rymer emphasised the critical importance of sustainable energy adoption, particularly in the face of global challenges and the imperative to combat climate change.

“National outcome number nine of the National Sustainable Development Plan speaks to the adoption of sustainable energy, which would lower our reliance on imported fuel and introduce more renewable types of energy,” stated Minister Rymer, underlining the government’s commitment to fostering cleaner and more affordable energy solutions for the territory.

The initiative, Minister Rymer emphasized, is designed to empower residents and enhance the territory’s resilience against external economic shocks. By leveraging duty-free import status and strategic procurement practices, BVIEC aims to procure components at the lowest possible cost, ensuring maximum savings for participants.

“To facilitate widespread adoption, BVIEC will engage certified installers, providing them with invaluable experience in solar technology installation,” Minister Rymer noted. “This not only supports the STEP program but also fosters new business ventures aligned with the territory’s climate change agenda.”

Minister Rymer urged residents to register their interest in the STEP program, emphasising its role in driving economic growth and improving quality of life in the Virgin Islands. With projected payback periods as short as under two years, the initiative promises tangible benefits for both participants and the broader community.

In a tangible example provided by Minister Rymer, a customer with an annual usage of 15,624 kilowatts could expect savings of over $2,700 per year with the implementation of a grid tie system, demonstrating the transformative potential of solar technology in reducing electricity costs.

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Contract For Airport Development Project Awarded to KPMG (BVI) Ltd.

Editor — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:52:50 +0000

The Government of the Virgin Islands, in collaboration with the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority (BVIAA), has awarded the contract to undertake crucial works on the long-awaited airport development project, to KPMG (BVI) Ltd.

After an extensive tendering process involving eight reputable companies, KPMG (BVI) emerged as the preferred bidder. The company is set to commence development works, with a clear timeline aimed at completing the business case within the next three months. This critical phase aligns with the UK’s 5-case model, ensuring a comprehensive and strategic approach to airport development.

Minister of Communications and Works Honourable Kye Rymer emphasised the project’s importance and underscored the government’s commitment to effective financial management, transparency, and accountability. “I am well pleased to know that we have persisted and have finally arrived at the stage where we can engage the services of a qualified contractor to chart the way forward with the airport development,” stated Honourable Rymer.

Furthermore, Honourable Rymer stressed the significance of upholding policy principles, ensuring value for money considerations, and enhancing accountability in public sector operations throughout the process.

Chairman of the Board, Mr. Theodore Burke, echoed the minister’s sentiments, affirming the team’s dedication to a seamless and transparent process that aligns with the Government’s financial management protocols. “We are dedicated to ensuring that every step taken in this project reflects our responsibility to the public we serve,” Mr. Burke stated.

Meanwhile, Managing Director Mr. Kurt Menal highlighted the wealth of information already available to facilitate the process, emphasising the Authority’s readiness to support the project. “Our team at the Authority is armed with a wealth of information gleaned from various studies undertaken previously,” noted Mr. Menal.

Mr. Menal also praised the competence and dedication of the Authority’s team, highlighting their passion for aviation and commitment to the growth and prosperity of the British Virgin Islands.

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