Mold to blame with only 9 months in new building.
Via a memo issued on January 23, 2023, Human Resources Director Arlene Thomas informed Staff of the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission that offices will be closed with immediate effect, and Staff are asked to work remotely until further notice.
The closure comes as reports swirl that the new office of the Board is severely affected by mold. The mold has also reportedly resulted in some Staff members experiencing mold related symptoms with at least two being forced to leave the job site.
Word reaching our news room indicate that mold spots have been noticed in the ceiling of the bathrooms, some walls are crumbling by apparent water damage and that Staff has had to play ‘mold musical chairs’ to determine safe areas to sit in the office, as initial complaints to the management of Board appeared to had fallen on deaf ears.
Two companies have been brought in to date to test air quality, and it is understood that all areas except the extreme middle of the office are determined as red zones - severely infested with mold
Our newsroom has also been reliably informed that the building is also plagued with water woes, with some Staff indicating that even when water is on in the capital ciry, the AKARA building is suffering from water interruptions, and Staff has had to be sent home on many occasions.
The BVI Tourist Board moved into the Akara Building on April 1, 2022.
BVITB Occupational History
In 2018, due to the effects of Hurricanes Irma/Maria, the BVITB took residence on the 3rd floor of Geneva Place. By mid 2018, the 2nd floor also become available, and the then management of the Board decided to take the additional floor and make Geneva Place the permanent headquarters of the BVI Tourist Board. Contracts were signed.
Following the elections of 2019, the Andrew Fahie-led Government, through the newly established Board, it is reported, forced the cancellation of the contract, and confirmed a new contract to return the BVITB to the Akara Building. Most believed the arrangement to be of political cronyism. It is also reported that for two and a half years, the BVITB paid two sets of rent; rent to their immediate Landlord (Geneva Place) and rent to their future Landlord (Akara Bldg).
Further reports indicate that the Akara Building was severely damaged during the hurricanes of 2017, and no real effort made to secure it from the elements. At that time, it is understood that concerns of serious mold issues were raised before signing a new contract, however, those complaints were said to have fallen on deaf ears.
The BVI Tourist Board is reported to have spent some $300,000 plus to date on preparations and fit out of the Akara Building office space.