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Landscaping of public roads on the move due to RATED Programme
Well, the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development (RATED) Programme, now in its first year anniversary, is to the rescue. The programme is the brainchild of Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7).
Districts 9 & 5 on the move
Many areas throughout the Territory have crews working in the different districts, cutting back the bushes that are making driving and walking a challenge. Take for example North Sound, Virgin Gorda, which is in the Ninth District of Hon Vincent O. Wheatley, the Minister for Health and Social Development.
There is now a crew of six, including a supervisor, cleaning the areas of North Sound of bushes, overgrown trees and shrubs. Many residents and tourists are delighted to witness the bush clearing and the efforts being placed to correct the most often unsightly situation.
In District Five headed by Hon Kye M. Rymer, the Minister for Communications and Works' crews are busy at Great Mountain on Tortola, cutting bushes and ensuring that the lookout parts are also visible. There are other districts with active crews in the programme now coordinated by the new Department of Waste Management (DWM) Director Mr Marcus E. Solomon.
Opposition held Districts 6, 3 & 8 not left behind
The Sixth District, with Representative Hon Myron V. Walwyn and the Third District, with Hon Julian Fraser RA, also have active crews in the RATED Programme. Other districts seem to be still getting organised and submitting their crews’ names.
District Eight, with Representative Hon Marlon A. Penn, is winding down, as its crews have almost reached their six-month mark.
The programme is not only about bush cutting but a few have been assigned to departments and ministries of government, as there is an office component of the programme.
More than a million dollars has been assigned to the programme, according to budget figures obtained by our newsroom. Additionally, after six months, persons are rotated out of the programme and new crews are hired, according to someone familiar with the RATED Programme rules.
It is believed that with the transfer from the Public Works Department to DWM, the programme is allegedly working much better, according to a senior officer speaking on condition of anonymity.
Premier Wheatley legacy programme?
One of the early signature programmes of Premier Wheatley is the RATED Programme that provides young and old residents employment, albeit temporarily, with a minimum pay of $100.00 a day and can go as high as $150.00 per day, and even higher if a senior management post is secured in the RATED programme.
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22 Responses to “Landscaping of public roads on the move due to RATED Programme”
Political tactics is in full swinging in the BVI. The same old mindset of Big eating small fish is continuing, daily. The employer, the general public, becomes subject to the employees, the political leaders even before the last ballet is has been counted on general election day. This is the system that was forced on us, namely Democracy. Even after 2,600 years, the same old, same behavior is continuing unabated or nonstop.
Before a few weeks ago, we had gotten little rain. But thanks to the Almighty One, heavy rain showers have been poured on us, even this present day. Because of the continuation of rain showers, our employees, political leaders have given some bush cutting, and road cleaning jobs to some of us, their employees, we the people.
I am happy though, for all that were given, and still actively cutting roadside bushes, and road cleaning jobs. I hope that you will be paid as soon as your duty is done.
.respect brother
Nevertheless, what residents want to see regarding the road network is a complete and proper revamping of the design, construction, and maintenance of roads. Roads that does not flood with a low return period rain, ie, 2-year rain. Further, the road does not quickly deteriorate and become riddled with potholes with the first rain. Roads should be properly designed and constructed for a specific lifecycle with proper maintenance. The roads may not last 20 years but surely should last longer 1-2 years at most. This short lifecycle is throwing good money at bad. Let’s do it right the first time.
Hon. Fraser should consider leaving the political arena because he has lost his political direction. His level of debate is very poor and if I was in his corner, I would have told him quietly. The size of the budget is inadequate to administer this country. Should the government increase tax it would be a recipe for riot. What we should consider doing is to look for foreign investors to inject a large amount of money in a joint venture project that will benifit both parties.
Lacking in natural resources, their O&M and capital budgets are funded from taxes and fees and borrowing. In regards to borrowing, though there is an increasing demand for services from the populace, there is also a disdain for increased taxes and fees, if only temporary. to service the increasing demand. The BVI has number of physical infrastructure, and soft and social infrastructure needs and in order to meet the need, it prudently must borrow. The BVI is a Third World emerging locale and according to OECD, the suggested prudent debt to GDP ratio is 30-50%. The BVI current debt to GDP I surmised is less than 20%. The financial gurus can set me straight. Anyway, the average tax rate among the 30 OECD countries is 46%; this number is dated. The bottom line if the BVI wants to progress it must prudently borrow to invest in capital projects, ie, roads, ports, utilities, ports, telecommunications, etc. Anyone knows what the current overall tax rate is to GDP?