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Mentally ill person now occupying old Gov’t Admin Building- Hon Marlon A. Penn

- Calls for robust timeline for plan of action to rehabilitate building
The old Administration Building on Main Street. There have been calls in the past for the building to be converted into a museum. Photo: VINO/File
Opposition Member in the Virgin Islands, House of Assembly Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has called for a timeline for rehabilitation work to the old Government administration building in Road Town, Tortola, which he said is now in a dilapidated state and in need of repairs. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Opposition Member in the Virgin Islands, House of Assembly Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has called for a timeline for rehabilitation work to the old Government administration building in Road Town, Tortola, which he said is now in a dilapidated state and in need of repairs. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Meanwhile, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley said his government has plans to repurpose the building as it has of immense cultural and historical value to the territory, however, said that the Government has been very cautious in determining what plans are necessary to reestablish its use. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Meanwhile, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley said his government has plans to repurpose the building as it has of immense cultural and historical value to the territory, however, said that the Government has been very cautious in determining what plans are necessary to reestablish its use. Photo: HoA/Youtube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Opposition Member in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has called for a timeline for the rehabilitation of the old Government Administration Building in Road Town, Tortola, which he said is now in a dilapidated state and needs urgent repairs.

Hon Penn was at the time speaking at the Tenth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on May 2, 2024, when he also mentioned that the building now houses people, including a mentally ill man.

“I saw a young man living in that building, there’s people living in the building right now. I shudder to understand the condition of that building, a young man who is out in the open causing some disturbance, obviously has some mental challenges, is living in that building,” he added.

Meanwhile, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said his government has plans to repurpose the building as it has immense cultural and historical value to the territory. Dr Wheatley noted; however, that the Government has been very cautious in determining what plans are necessary to re-establish its use.

Funding requested for building - Premier

He said the Deputy Governor requested funding in the 2024 budget to repair the external facade of the building which is now creating a hazard for pedestrians and vehicles.

“This work will commence shortly, following the necessary procurement arrangements. The annex in the back will be restored for use by the Archives Unit, providing additional space for the retention and management of important historical documents dating back to the 19th century,” Premier Wheatley stated.

He said repairs to the roof of the old Administration Building will be undertaken and tender is expected to be issued shortly in addition to more restoration works to be undertaken by the Office of the Deputy Governor, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development.

The Premier said he has since been informed that the building is secured and that a mentally ill man is only occupying the porch of the building. He promised to look into the situation, with a view to helping the individual. 

“The member described a member of the community who is in distress and doesn't have a place to live. We're very sensitive to that and I do think that it would be appropriate for the Minister of Health to get together with his team and to see what support can be provided to the individual,” Dr Wheatley said.

20 Responses to “Mentally ill person now occupying old Gov’t Admin Building- Hon Marlon A. Penn”

  • boi i hope (03/05/2024, 10:54) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope one occupy the premier office or sleep in the elevator to his office so maybe then they might do something about mental people here.

    it doesn't seem to be bothering them.
  • confirmation (03/05/2024, 11:02) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    The Premier is living in the old Administration Bldg. on Main Street. He's not mentally ill just mentally challenged.
  • Wow. Wow. (03/05/2024, 11:09) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    All those large rent we are paying for Govt offices. It will take just one yr of that rent money to fix up these buildings that we will have for the next 30 yrs.
    • VIGOV (03/05/2024, 12:35) Like (36) Dislike (1) Reply
      What is wrong with alyou. The longer the Admin Building stays vacant is the more money in my friends' pockets.

      Leave me nah man and just watch me work baby.????
    • Migoman (05/05/2024, 17:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thats nkt a good idea. Common, how are the politicians friends amd familys gonna get the taxpayers money if they fix up every single taxpayer owned building???
      THINKKKK!!!
  • Shoe Size (03/05/2024, 11:19) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    These are not new problems, the shoe was on several other leaders' feet before this one. The question will continue to be asked....what is your shoe size????????? The shoes are not wearing out now at all so keep acting like they brand new.
  • Wiggy piggy (03/05/2024, 11:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who y’all talking about me?
  • son of the soil (03/05/2024, 12:04) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply

    That man east end that tried to rape the young girl the other day, his name is B*rt. The government needs to seriously do something about this individual before he mess up a female life!!! He’s a menace to society.

  • Really (03/05/2024, 12:23) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    It's the PREMIER !
  • government behind (03/05/2024, 15:18) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    all these old government buildings and property the government have. refusing to even fix up and put there department and ministries in. instead they have money to spend paying rent all about the place. tell me what other countries you see government have to be up and down the place paying rent when they have a bunch of unoccupied buildings that need maintenance. some of these rent paying building aren't even suitable for office spaces. A administration building that took two years to build is NOW taking over 7 YEARS to refurbish. This is all just a way for the government to find new way take money and give away to they paratha them instead of better developing the country. smh this government is backwards.
  • Asking For Myself (03/05/2024, 16:33) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
    WhAt Marlon smurf don't hust he tire can't dress self and look at the mentally ill in district eight
  • Lessness (03/05/2024, 17:22) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The building is sitting idly and deteriorating. The longer it sits idle without maintenance and repair the more it will cost to repair/ reconstruct for whatever repurpose purpose. Tge BVI sufferers from lack of proper facility maintenance and operations. It is poor at maintaining existing facilities but has a passion to construct more which eventually add to large backlog of maintenance and repair list. Another example of lessness. At least the old Admin building is being by the mentally ill who are probably homeless. . Who is responsible for taking care of the mentally ill, ie, Family, Church, secular institutions, governmrnt?
  • FACIAL EXPRESSIONS (03/05/2024, 18:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    is saying )> PEN) am hollering at you boy / ( WHE ) and I heard you the first time , did you take your medication this morning ? OR IS YOUR BOSS RIGHT ABOUT THAT *RETARdation ???? thing
  • now (03/05/2024, 19:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    IF THE CULTURAL BUILDING , PROS REEF , THE INCINERATOR , THE POT HOLES , OUR SH*T - ETC ○ ISN'T BEING MENTIONED IN ANY OF THOSE ARISTOCRATS WE GOT HERE CALLED POLITICIANS MOUTHS / WHO HAS MASTERED THE ART OF DECEPTION & HYPOCRISY ,
    AND NOW } WE GOT A WANNABE PLAYER ,, WHO IS ONLY SPECIALISIZED IN FREE JAMZ , AND NOW } HE HAS ANGERED ONE OF THOSE FAKE HOLY MEN FROM ( CGB ) WHO IS HOLLERING OUT ON WHATS GOING ON AROUND THE NEW ( ADMIN BUILDING ) TO
    ACCOMMODATE THE ( MUSIC FEST ) WHILE THE ADMIN BUILDING IS IGNORED AND LEFT TO DETERIORATE LIKE THOSE OTHE BUILDINGS THAT I MENTIONED BEFORE , SO HOW MARLON THINK OR EXPECT
    THAT OUR BOSS IS GOING TO TOUCH THE OLD ADMIN BUILDING ( FREE JAMZ ARE US
  • Fanily (03/05/2024, 23:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    That mentally ill person from the 8th district
  • Maria Louisa Varlack (04/05/2024, 07:39) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    every bvi islander life has been completely destroyed. there is nothing but destruction of human life every where in the bvi.
  • Boo (04/05/2024, 08:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Same ole no vision government with money for friends, supporters, and back kicks have us where we are. Always bawling about the UK and w#!te man when is their corrupt incompetent behind that have the country in a collapsed state.
  • re-buff (04/05/2024, 14:24) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    'buff' from carrot bay is living there. he still doesn't have enough holes in him.
  • gh (08/05/2024, 20:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rum got Buff so?He was always a bit weird...hoggish.. but crazy?


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