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(PLTM) - GIS - Remarks by Premier, Hon. Dr. Natalio Wheatley, on the Launch of the Road Town Partnership at FSC Conference Room on 04 April 2025 I recognize the protocol already established but I w...
Natalio Wheatley, on the Launch of the Road Town Partnership at FSC Conference Room on 04 April 2025 I recognize the protocol already established but I would like to recognize the presence of my Government members (list), Members of the Road Town Partnership Committee, and the members of the media.
I welcome you all here today for what I will call a day of new beginnings for our beloved capital, Road Town. For decades, as far back as when I was in high school, we have sought to develop Road Town into a capital that reflected our aspiration as a people, and our place in the world.
We have always aspired to feel the pride one feels when you hosting visitors at a high standard. Whether it is a friend, a business colleague, family from abroad or the thousands of visitors that traverse the capital, we all want to feel proud of our capital and watch our guests delight in its experience.
We recognize that our capital needs more love. Over the years, we have not kept up with the needs of our capital. It is the centre of government, commerce, our thriving financial service sector, tourism and where we all must visit at some point. We have recognized the need to urgently address issues such as sidewalks, walkways, green areas, pick up and drop off areas, traffic safety, cross walks, sitting areas, trash receptacles, drains, roads, parking lots, landscaping, trees and gardens, coastal water quality improvements, restrooms, seating, signage, painting, demolition and removal of condemned structures, urban renewal, historic preservation, restoration of historic buildings/sites, a vibrant Main Street and an endless list of developments to raise the standard of the experience in our capital.
How will we address the challenges our capital has experienced over the years? The answer is through Focus and Partnership! There are so many different Ministries, departments and agencies with responsibilities for Road Town that their resources, energy and actions are not always coordinated and therefore the impact is not always as strong it could be.
The role of the district representative and the community also has not been properly defined. The private sector also did not have an appropriate avenue to assist. These are the challenges that must be resolved for Road Town to reach its full potential. Today, I am pleased to share with you a plan to FOCUS on Road Town!
It is called the Road Town Partnership, RTP for short. It uses a tried and tested model that we have used to build a globally competitive and successful financial services sector. One where we engaged the private sector for their expertise, ideas and resources and Government facilitated and brought to bear its position as the guardian of the public interest.
Today, we want to apply that public sector-private sector partnership model to the development and maintenance of Road Town. But, we want to add the most important partner, and that is the community. Today, I am pleased to launch the Road Town Partnership, a public-private partnership (PPP) where Government, Business and the Community work TOGETHER for a better Road Town!
One of the major lessons we learnt having just completed the COI, is that our processes and institutions must be developed and strengthened. We are applying that lesson to the development of Road Town through RTP. When fully constituted, RTP will be a legal partnership where the partners will have decision making rights, responsibilities, risk and benefits.
Working together, the partners will develop the vision and plan for Road Town and identify the legal structure, capability and resources to transform and maintain its infrastructure, appearance, ambiance, and user-friendliness. The work of RTP will span the commercial and civic area from the Prospect Reef roundabout to the Purcell roundabout and will touch parts of districts 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The legal structure for RTP will have an independent Board consisting of eleven (11) members from the government, business and the community. It will be co-chaired by a private sector representative and a Government representative. It will be charged with developing the Road Town Development Plan (RTDP) in collaboration with government, private sector and community stakeholders.
The members will ensure that the business community and residents are engaged, consulted and heard as they develop the Plan. They will also be charged with making decisions that benefit Road Town, its businesses, its residents, its visitors and the wider Territory. The RTP Board will be led by my Junior Minister of Tourism and representative of the 4th district, Hon.
Primary source: BVI Platinum