There have been advanced discussions on the transition from the Recovery and Development Agency to the Virgin Islands Development Agency. Photo: RDA/Facebook

The Virgin Islands Development Agency (VIDA) will be a permanent body and, as part of its mandate, will have an Infrastructural Development Plan for the Territory to span up to 20 years, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said. Photo: RDA/Facebook/File

The new Jost van Dyke Primary School is one of the many projects successfully managed by the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA). Photo: RDA/Facebook

The Virgin Islands Development Agency (VIDA) will be a permanent body and, as part of its mandate, will have an Infrastructural Development Plan for the Territory to span up to 20 years, Premier Wheatley also said.

‘Extended’ life of RDA comes to an end in December 2025

The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) was established in 2018 by the Government of the Virgin Islands as a transparent and accountable specialist project implementation agency to respond to the unique challenges faced by the Territory following the extreme weather events of 2017.

It was in October 2022 that Cabinet approved a request from the Chairman of the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) to extend the lifespan of the Agency for an additional three (3) years to December 31, 2025, to allow for completion of projects already in progress or that were scheduled to commence in 2022.

In April 2024, Premier Wheatley commented that the RDA has been managing and delivering complicated projects with large budgets, on time, within cost and quality to the highest standards.

“The performance of the RDA has been such a high standard, that we in the government are envisioning a new and expanded role for the RDA, so that it can lend its talents and expertise to supporting other public projects,” the Premier revealed during the handover ceremony of the Law Enforcement Marine Base, on April 16, 2024, a project that was jointly funded by the Government of the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom (UK) and executed by the RDA.

Transition a ‘momentous step’

According to the RDA in a press release dated September 30, 2024, the transition is a momentous step that marks a pivotal change in the territory’s approach to development, ensuring a long-term, sustainable approach to growth, disaster recovery and infrastructural advancement.

The RDA has been instrumental in delivering rehabilitative and reconstructive recovery projects in partnership with the Government of the Virgin Islands resulting in over $55M invested locally through the completion of 43 project interventions. According to the RDA, these investments have helped to better prepare the Territory for future challenges, while driving economic growth and development.

It is envisioned that the Virgin Islands Development Agency will continue to focus on project planning, implementation and capacity building, with an expanded mandate to include broader economic development strategies, as embodied by the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP). This includes facilitating public/private partnerships, promoting sustainable environmental practices, and driving initiatives that foster innovation and entrepreneurship across the Virgin Islands.

According to the RDA press release, the RDA’s Board of Directors will continue to play a key role in guiding the transition process, ensuring a smooth handover and the successful establishment of VIDA.

See related articles:

Gov’t envisioning new & expanded role for RDA– Premier

Cabinet extends lifespan of RDA to Dec 31, 2025