Give RDA $20M To Fix Water Problem – Walwyn

Sixth District Representative and Opposition Member Myron Walwyn has called on the Government to allocate $20 million from its $100 million loan facility to the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) to tackle the Territory’s longstanding water problems.

Walwyn made the proposal during the July 21 debate on the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the House of Assembly.

Describing water as a major national problem, Walwyn said he receives complaints daily from residents in his district who continue to experience an unreliable supply.

“That is an ideal project for the RDA. Give the RDA the work to fix the water problem in the country. Why do we still have it under a ministry?” he questioned.

Walwyn argued that if the Government considers water a priority, it should make a substantial investment through the RDA to repair the Territory’s deteriorating water infrastructure.

“If you have a $100 million loan facility and you say water is a priority in this country, we’re going to give $20 million towards the water project. You give the RDA the project and let them address the issue of fixing the pipes and all the other things,” he stated.

He rejected the Government’s proposed $8 million allocation as inadequate, urging Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley to increase the amount.

“That $8 million that you put there, Premier, from the $100 million can’t work. Take out $20 million, give it to the RDA and let them fix the water problem,” Walwyn urged.

Give RDA More National Projects

Walwyn said the Government should broaden the RDA’s role by assigning it more projects that are critical to the Territory’s development and providing clear instructions for their execution.

He noted that part of the proposed amendments speaks to the agency supporting long-term national development priorities. According to Walwyn, the water crisis clearly falls within that mandate.

“If it’s a long-term problem and it’s not easy to fix, and we are saying that the RDA is there to support long-term national development priorities, it therefore follows that you give the water problem to the RDA,” he argued.

Walwyn said the RDA could oversee the infrastructural work, including the repair and replacement of pipes, while another entity could eventually manage the water system’s operations.

“You’ve got to get the infrastructural part of it addressed, and that is really where the work is,” he said.

Rymer Has Too Much To Handle

Walwyn also defended Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Kye Rymer, saying the minister is often unfairly criticised despite having responsibility for several major and troubled areas.

“I have to defend Hon. Rymer because he gets a bad rap. It’s a lot for one person, for one minister, to deal with the water infrastructure, to deal with roads in this country and electricity. It’s a lot,” Walwyn stated.

“No matter how competent you are, if you have too much work, you’re going to come across as incompetent,” he added.

Walwyn maintained that major infrastructure projects should be placed under the RDA rather than continuing to saddle individual ministries with responsibility for planning and executing them.