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Jeremy W. Hodge In! G. Navarro Donovan Out! as PWD Director

Mr Jeremy W. Hodge, right, has been named acting Director of the Public Works Department (PWD), replacing G. Navarro Donovan, left. Photo: Facebook/GIS
It is believed there are issues with the performance of the Public Works Department (PWD). Photo: VINO/File
It is believed there are issues with the performance of the Public Works Department (PWD). Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) did not respond to request for a comment on the appointment of Mr Jeremy W. Hodge as the Acting PWD Director. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) did not respond to request for a comment on the appointment of Mr Jeremy W. Hodge as the Acting PWD Director. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- At a general staff meeting at the Public Works Department (PWD) compound in Baughers Bay, Tortola, this morning, October 28, 2019, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley made a bombshell announcement.

He told the staff that the former Acting Permanent Secretary in his Ministry, Jeremy W. Hodge, will, with immediate effect, be the acting Director of the PWD, replacing G. Navarro Donovan.

It is unclear how long the arrangements will be for or if Mr Hodge’s acting appointment went through the Public Service Commission (PSC), the body responsible for making recommendations for Heads of Department, especially senior level appointments to Government posts.

Back to old post

Mr Donovan is expected to revert to his post as one of three Deputy Directors of the PWD. It is believed there are issues with the performance of the PWD and other questions about Government processes.

Meanwhile, Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) did not respond to request for a comment on the appointment of Mr Hodge as the Acting PWD Director.

The former National Democratic Party (NDP) regime dismantled the Public Works Department, denying them of staff and money to carry out its mandate and outsourced many of the works. It resulted in low morale and poor working conditions for the PWD, especially following the 2017 hurricanes.

18 Responses to “Jeremy W. Hodge In! G. Navarro Donovan Out! as PWD Director”

  • Lost his way (28/10/2019, 20:22) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    It’s about time, he did a bq for funny man after the fact
  • Redfire (28/10/2019, 20:27) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    our road conditions are so poor. The engineering is poor. How these roads are done pouring new tar over old tar? The roads need to be graded from the old one and do it properly from scratch to ensure good quality. Look at those flow holes they are like potholes cause of the amount t of tar upon old tar
  • Yes (28/10/2019, 20:30) Like (12) Dislike (8) Reply
    Yes we need our own people in every key position
  • Road Engineer (28/10/2019, 21:59) Like (50) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Public Works Department (PWD) should preferably be led by an experienced and certified engineer (preferably a civil engineer or someone in a related field, ie architecture, facilities management.....etc. For at least the last 10 years, PWD was led by non-engineers. No ill-will against the people but that practice has hurt the department and its output. The PWD ideally should be led by someone with the technical experience (engineering), management and leadership experience and skills. PWD requires much more than general management; the leader must have engineering skill, knowledge and experience. Having been hollowed out (resources, personnel), PWD needs to rebuilt and rebuilding is the province of a seasoned engineered. PWD Director shouldn’t be a political position.
    • rewrsdffds (29/10/2019, 06:36) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
      We understand but a sound administrative leader can can do it as well.
      • @ ok (29/10/2019, 09:47) Like (9) Dislike (14) Reply
        A good example is how Hon Willock a non engineer turn around the water and sewerage dept back in the days
    • Observer (29/10/2019, 11:02) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Road Engineer. I quite agree with you. Its not that the persons appointed can't get things done, but its only common sense to appoint a qualified Civil Engineer (local or contracted if needs be), to manage a primarily Engineering Dept. The W&SD has had similar scenarios. Hon. Rymer is doing a great job thus far as Minister for Works. By God's grace he will make that an important priority during his tenure.
  • e very dog has his day (29/10/2019, 00:04) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes VIP ayo keep it up
  • Carrot Bay (29/10/2019, 07:13) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply

    Only give contracts to people he borrowing money from.

    • Gangster Boss (29/10/2019, 09:54) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
      Some departments just need real gangster bosses. Fearless to get production... Most of these workers are going around playing gangsters.. Threatening and intimidating workers and bosses. Having them scared Bosses Afraid to discipline them.... That's the hard reality..
  • hmm (29/10/2019, 07:53) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    BOTH OF THEM WERE DEMOTED
  • Production. Hmmm. (29/10/2019, 09:46) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Any where there is favourtism by management especially middle management, it will definitely affect production. PWD is no axception.. Rules, policies and rolls must be clearly spelled out...Then again its very difficult to control and manager most BHW and LTW workers......
  • From the block (29/10/2019, 09:48) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Jay is happy about this
  • ndp (29/10/2019, 10:03) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Can we just give some positive enerrgy for once? Why are we always so negative? we have to move forward
    • truth be told (29/10/2019, 10:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      When Navarro was ill-treating people, where were you?
      Navarro doesn't even like himself that why he couldn't hold the POST.................


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