Contracts Signed for Fisheries and Road Town
The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency and the Government of the Virgin Islands have signed two design consultancy contracts for a Fisheries Landing Site at the Omar Hodge Fishers’ Wharf and a Road Town Master Plan. The projects aim to strengthen food security, support the Blue Economy and guide sustainable growth for the Territory’s capital.
The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), in partnership with the Government of the Virgin Islands, formally signed two design consultancy contracts on 24 March 2026 for projects that aim to shape the Territory’s physical and economic future: a Fisheries Landing Site at the Omar Hodge Fishers’ Wharf and a Road Town Master Plan.
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Wheatley described the ceremonies as a landmark moment for local development. He said a modern Fisheries Landing Site would support livelihoods, enhance food resilience and promote responsible marine resource use. On the Road Town Master Plan he said the work would create a capital city that is functional, resilient and attractive while ensuring limited land is used efficiently and sustainably.
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith highlighted the cultural importance of Road Town, calling it the Territory’s “heartbeat.” She said the master plan should make the capital feel “Rooted in Culture,” with heritage reflected in architecture, public spaces and the flow of streets.
The plan is designed to address land use, mobility, infrastructure and resilience, with a strategic, phased roadmap to improve walkability and align development with national priorities. The Road Town Master Plan contract, valued at $74,000, was awarded to OBM Limited, a firm with more than 60 years of experience in the Virgin Islands.
OBM Managing Director Marvin Flax spoke of a deep personal connection to Road Town and emphasised the need for master plans to be living frameworks responsive to stakeholder input and change. Design consultancy for the Fisheries Landing Site at the Omar Hodge Fishers’ Wharf was awarded to WDMO Group Design & Drafting at $35,200.
The project will deliver a safe, organised and sanitary environment for fishers, improving operational efficiency while preserving an important part of BVI cultural heritage and honouring the late Omar Hodge’s vision for the wharf. WDMO Managing Director Wayne O’Neal expressed gratitude and commitment to delivering a high-quality product.
RDA Chief Executive Officer Anthony McMaster said both projects represent immediate action on sustainability, food security and the Blue Economy, and reaffirmed that contracts were awarded through a transparent Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) process. Established in 2018, the RDA continues to implement priority recovery and development projects and is transitioning toward an expanded development-focused mandate to support public infrastructure and sustainable growth in the Territory.
For residents, the two contracts signal progress toward improved fishing facilities, more coordinated capital planning and greater focus on resilient, culturally informed development that supports livelihoods, tourism and long-term community wellbeing.
Primary source: BVI Government