Marking one year since taking office as part of the Natalio Wheatley led Government, Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Rymer delivered an assessment of the significant infrastructure and development challenges facing the British Virgin Islands, while also highlighting key achievements over the past year.
Rymer, who also represents the 5th District, acknowledged the dire state of the territory’s roads, utilities and other infrastructure.
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The Minister said new protocols requiring competitive bidding on all government contracts, regardless of project size, have changed procedures. However, he assured that plans are drafted and capability exists to make long-needed improvements once funding is secured.
![video](https://d16c23m5op9a19.cloudfront.net/88e82246-37d7-43ab-ab2e-da0b1015feb2/thumbnails/rymer-at-territorial-address-2_tumb.0000016.jpg?Key-Pair-Id=APKAJ35XGXICKHRP5TSQ&Signature=O2MW4RINlN0FrbNbPID-FjHmYII8izVuR0j8xBeab97AY5xV1zoxMs3wimARM2HQFOVi67f~jUZOYBCt0ahnJl2beGFN6rDi7S-JEE04fzlP-XfwB743arF1LYpiKiupGbOtbWQliFSlodZ4D37EYN-P73QZkVii4~ZxEiDqV8Dlzu0z2bSkMun6WOLrrq~~f3sIhdIlDJafM738hJXPWueshIVxPQepLzhJzv4TwoEJwH8Z6C0GTVJBU2duxLJIsZfpNEg2UCTWbXF-8HkvQEpiwBOynJ4jN53MVMAna-XjYDbPc1K12Sylc90RkfWl8ueiesWD7fJZLosdmWZKtQ__&Expires=1725934050)
Despite the daunting challenges, Rymer touted progress made over the past year, including the inaugural nonstop American Airlines flight from Miami and the re-commissioning of the Burt Point sewerage plant.
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Rymer also highlighted the new residential solar energy program allowing homeowners to install renewable systems at no upfront cost as the territory aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.