The interior of the House of Assembly (HoA) looking just about ready for the lying in state of former legislator Hon Omar W. Hodge. Photo: VINO

The body of the late legislator Omar W. Hodge, left, will lie in state on Wednesday January 17, 2018 at the House of Assembly building, which has been refurbished by Quality Construction Ltd, owned by Mr Roy A. Garraway, right. Photo: GIS/Facebook

Working on an Air Conditioning Unit inside the House of Assembly (HoA) building in Road Town today, January 14, 2018. Photo: VINO

Outside of the House of Assembly (HoA) Building, which is being given its finishing touches before the lying in state of former legislator Omar W. Hodge. Photo: VINO

The building located in the capital city, Road Town, was gutted by two powerful hurricanes, Irma and Maria, in September of 2017 leaving just the frame standing.

However; as is tradition when a member who was elected dies, the body lies in state at the Parliament building.

Work started about 9 days ago on the building and Quality Construction Ltd's Managing Director Mr Garraway told our newsroom that by tomorrow January 15, 2018 he “should be able to complete the works” and it will be certainly ready for former legislator and political giant Omar W. Hodge to lie in state.

Mr Hodge died on December 20, 2017 at age 75 and will be laid to rest with an official funeral on Thursday, January 18, 2018, a story first and accurately reported by this news site.

Two official days for Hodge 17 & 18 January 2018

The HoA Chambers will be almost brand new and sophisticatedly refurbished to host Mr Hodge’s body on Wednesday January 17, 2018. The body will lie in state at the HoA Building from 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. During this time, the public will have an opportunity to pay their last respects between 10:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M.

Mr Hodge, an Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Member, is affectionately known as “The People’s Man” because of his fight for the rights of all people, including those from the other Caribbean islands.

According to a government statement issued late last week, on January 18, 2018 a procession will leave the parking lot of the BVI Ports Authority, Port Purcell at 9:00 A.M. along the Blackburn Highway and proceed east to the New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre at Baugher’s Bay.

A pre-service is scheduled for 9:30 A.M. with the funeral service following at 10:30 A.M. Interment will follow at the Johnson’s Ghut Cemetery. Official flags will be flown in the Territory at half-mast on January 17 and 18, 2018 at all Government buildings, the statement added.

Who is this political giant?

The People’s Man was first elected to the Legislative Council in 1979 and served for 32 years consecutively.

He was the Deputy Chief Minister from 1986 to 1988 and Deputy Speaker from 1979 to 1983. He also held the two titles of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour from 1986 to 1988 and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, Mr Hodge served as the representative for the Sixth District from 1979 to 2011.

His ministerial achievements include, the acquisition of the Baths, Virgin Gorda and setting up a commission to help settle the Anegada lands dispute.

Mr Hodge was also instrumental in disbursement of lands at Horse Path, on Tortola, as well as bringing unleaded fuel to the Virgin Islands via Delta Petroleum and was the brainchild for the first in-house gymnasium/basketball court at Belle Vue that is now in rubbles after it was destroyed by the hurricanes of last year.

The People’s Man started the development of the Baughers Bay Marina and launched the modern Labour Code. He did much of the work on the Purcell Bridge and other infrastructural works carried out in the 6th Electoral District, during his tenure.