Government Information Services (GIS) occupies a space in RJT Edifice, which also houses the Department of Immigration. Photo: VINO/File

A report deemed the building being occupied by the department as hazardous. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Ms Nekita Turnbull, Acting Chief Information Officer of Information and Public Relations requested funding of $96,000 for the relocation of the department. Photo: LinkedIn

Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office said the report deeming the department’s building as hazardous should not be taken at face value. Photo: GIS/Facebook

This was disclosed to the SFC when it met in November and December 2024, by Ms Nekita Turnbull, Acting Chief Information Officer of Information and Public Relations, during her presentation to the committee.

Turnbull requested additional funding of $96,000 for a relocation of the Department. Ms Turnbull presented to the SFC a report which she had received just about three weeks before appearing before the SFC.

The report, after deeming the building hazardous, recommended that it be evacuated within 7 to 12 months.

GIS occupies a space in RJT Edifice, which also houses the Department of Immigration.

However, Ms Turnbull added that the report was done in January 2024 but only received in late 2024 and so the “time to remove would have just about expired”.

Report was withdrawn but concerns still raised

Though the report was shared with members of the SFC, Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, told the committee that she was on vacation and had only seen the report just before coming to the SFC.

She also said she “could not take the report at face value”.

The report was subsequently withdrawn and collected from members of the SFC.

While the report was withdrawn, Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairman of the SFC Stacy R. Mather (AL) indicated his concern that the building which was being complained of was “completely empty, a shell, when the Government assumed occupancy”.

After questioning, it was confirmed that the government had outfitted the building, inclusive of air conditioning, ceiling tiles, chairs, desks and more.

He also recommended that the office space be fixed instead of moving to a different place and outfitting a new space as it would not solve the underlying problem.

Premier Wheatley acknowledges GIS’ needs

Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said he was aware that more resources were required by the department and underscored that they were “doing a great deal with the resources that they had available to them”.

Dr Wheatley also noted that the GIS “really needed a studio” which he added will be used to do wonders.

He also reiterated the importance of good communication which he said was often underestimated.

“There could be no good governance without the presence of good communication,” Premier Wheatley added.