Won't Spend $100M Mostly on Water
Minister for Communications and Works Kye Rymer says the government cannot devote the bulk of a $100 million loan solely to water infrastructure without neglecting other critical projects. He told the House of Assembly that procurement delays, limited external funding from the UK and the territory's small market have slowed progress, though contracts to repair five reservoirs are imminent.
Minister for Communications and Works Kye Rymer has defended the government’s decision not to allocate the majority of a $100 million loan solely to water improvements, saying doing so would leave other essential infrastructure neglected. Rymer made the remarks in the House of Assembly on 27 January 2026 while responding to repeated calls from Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn that most of the loan be used to tackle what Walwyn has called a water crisis affecting communities across the territory. "I wish we had that luxury," Rymer said, adding that concentrating funds on water would come at the expense of roads, the administrative complex and other works included in the loan programme.
The minister appealed for public patience and pointed to the BVI’s constrained fiscal environment. He said the territory does not receive the same level of external financial support enjoyed by the neighbouring US Virgin Islands, noting a consultant’s account that the USVI received roughly $3 billion in federal funding for water infrastructure. "We do not get that financial support from the UK as the USVI gets from the United States federal government," Rymer said, explaining that such funding gaps limit how quickly and comprehensively water problems can be addressed here.
To accelerate relief, the government declared water a national critical priority in June 2025, a move that allowed officials to bypass some standard procurement procedures for emergency equipment. Despite that, Rymer told legislators that many orders only began arriving more than six months after purchase.
He said suppliers often deprioritised BVI shipments because the market is small compared with larger jurisdictions. Some progress has arrived: the territory was able to collect pumps off the dock earlier this year and replace units that had been damaged for an extended period. Water meters ordered remain outstanding, Rymer said.
He also disclosed that the government has completed required processes for its reservoirs and is preparing to sign a contract to repair five reservoirs, but warned residents not to expect an immediate fix. For BVI residents, the government’s position means improvements will be phased and spread across multiple sectors rather than concentrated solely on water.
The debate between government and opposition over priorities is likely to continue, and Rymer said officials will provide updates as procurement deliveries and repair contracts advance.
Primary source: BVI News