Lettsome Slams Government Over $28M Rent Bill
Virgin Islands Innovative Association leader Levor Lettsome has criticised the government for spending an estimated $28 million on commercial rent since Hurricane Irma. He argued that better post-storm planning and temporary facilities could have saved millions in public funds while the Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex remains under repair. Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has stated that the administration building is slated to fully reopen next year.
Leader of the Virgin Islands Innovative Association (VIIA), Levor Lettsome, has sharply criticised the Virgin Islands Party administration, asserting that the Territory is facing serious financial challenges due to the mismanagement of public funds. Speaking on the Talking Points programme, the prospective At-Large candidate highlighted an estimated $28 million expended on leasing private commercial properties to house public offices since Hurricane Irma heavily damaged the Ralph T.
O’Neal Administration Complex in September 2017. Lettsome argued that the continuous disbursement of public funds—with some individual rental agreements reaching approximately $16,000 per month—represents an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. He noted that strategic post-disaster planning, such as utilizing properly equipped temporary or modular structures, could have substantially lowered the government's reliance on high-cost private rentals while permanent repairs were carried out.
The central administration complex in Road Town has remained out of full use for nearly nine years following the catastrophic 2017 hurricane season. Consequently, numerous government ministries and public departments remain dispersed across rented commercial buildings throughout Tortola.
Lettsome maintained that the millions spent on commercial leases could have been better directed toward upgrading essential public infrastructure and addressing other pressing community needs. Addressing ongoing concerns regarding the pace of restoration, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr.
Natalio Wheatley recently affirmed that the government remains committed to fully reopening the Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Complex next year once outstanding interior works are finalized. The government has also initiated the tendering process for building insurance coverage as preparations continue to bring the central facility back into full operation.
Primary source: BVI Platinum