Wheatley Vows Prospect Reef Groundbreaking
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley says the long-delayed Prospect Reef redevelopment on Tortola will break ground before the next general election, pledging the project will not be left undone. The government has shifted responsibility from the Ministry of Tourism to the Ministry of Financial Services to accelerate investor facilitation and is awaiting administrative approval to complete the transfer.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has pledged that ground will be broken on the long-stalled Prospect Reef redevelopment on Tortola before the next general election, saying it is a project he is determined to see started during the life of the current administration. Speaking during a recent radio appearance, the Premier told listeners: "But I’ll guarantee to you, we’re going to break ground on that before the election.
Yeah, that’s one thing that I will not leave undone." The site, once home to a government-owned hotel and marina, was severely damaged in Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and has remained undeveloped despite repeated efforts to attract investment. Wheatley said part of the delay stemmed from a decision to move responsibility for the project from the Ministry of Tourism to the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation.
The change, he explained, was requested so the unit with an existing investment facilitation structure and an investment unit could lead the redevelopment effort. "We have a certain type of infrastructure in place in the Ministry of Financial Services… We have an investment unit there… and we thought that they had the experience and they had the tools to be able to facilitate the process," he said.
The Premier added the transfer request was made some time ago and that the government has been awaiting the necessary administrative approval before advancing the project. Government officials have for several years sought investors to redevelop Prospect Reef as a mixed-use tourism facility, with proposals typically including hotel accommodation, marina services and other commercial amenities.
The redevelopment is seen by successive administrations as a key element in rebuilding and diversifying the Territory’s tourism product following the devastation of the 2017 storms. For BVI residents, the project promises potential benefits including construction jobs, long-term tourism employment and the revival of a strategic waterfront site on Tortola.
At the same time, the long hiatus has raised questions about timelines and administrative capacity to move from planning to construction. Premier Wheatley’s commitment sets a clear political deadline ahead of the next election. Officials will now need to finalise the ministerial transfer, secure investment agreements and obtain the necessary approvals if they are to meet the Premier’s vow to break ground before voters return to the polls.
Primary source: BVI News