Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Greetings-
The signing of these two major contracts here this afternoon represents the continued commitment of this Government, to advance plans to build and maintain modern infrastructural systems in the Territory.
The Ministry of Communications and Works is tasked with among other areas providing efficient sewerage systems and a safe stronger road network and drainage system.
As a Government we inherited the sewage problem that has plagued this Territory for many years.
But we are determined to make significant progress to remedy this problem of raw sewage running through the streets creating an unsanitary situation for residents and visitors.
In November 2011 when we were elected to office, we acted immediately, on recommendations to proceed with remedial work in the East End/Long Look and Road Town areas on Tortola.
We now, no longer, have raw sewage running on the main road next to the Immigration and Labour Department, as was the case before, and motorists and pedestrians can manoeuvre the area, in safety.
We now, no longer, have that foul smell in the area, which was unhealthy, and residents and visitors can now enjoy a more pleasant sojourn, in the capital City of Road Town.
Obviously, this is because our Government moved swiftly, to repair the Road Town Pump Station, as a temporary fix, and took on some other remedial works.
In the Greenland area, we also moved to install a temporary sewage treatment plant, by the behest or strong admonition of the Members for the 8th and 7th Districts, which will be officially commissioned within the next few weeks.
We will soon no longer see raw sewerage running on the Greenland main road another major accomplishment of this Government for our people.
In the 2014 Budget, the Government of Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, allocated eight million dollars ($8m) to continue the National Sewerage Programme.
On March 25, Government signed a $1.4 million contract with W&W Reliable Construction to install an 1800 foot pipeline to collect sewage from the communities of Red Bay, The Sound, Chapel Hill, and Parham Town, in the East.
This is part of the wider East End Sewer Project, which involves the installation of approximately 6,000 feet of 18-inch gravity sewer pipeline along Blackburn Highway from Chapel Hill to Fat Hogs Bay.
Today’s contract signing with Gene Hodge Backoe, Bulldozer & Trucking Co. Ltd., represents a further commitment by our Government to fix our sewage problem.
Gene Hodge Backoe, Bulldozer & Trucking Co. Ltd., submitted a proposal in the amount of One Million Three Hundred Thirteen Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-three Dollars ($1,313,833.00), on 30 July, 2013, for the Road Town Sewerage System Pipeline Replacement, and this bid was accepted.
According to the Scope of Works, the contractor is required to install sewer pipelines, between the main pump station at the Road Town round-a-about, technically referred to as Manhole # JB-E2, to Nibbs Street at the Cut-lass Tower, also referred to as Manhole # MH-4D; and also to remedy any defects.
This project is expected to be completed in approximately ten (10) weeks.
Other works on the Road Town Sewerage Project are expected to commence this Saturday 24th May and be completed within 3 weeks, through a series of petty contracts.
This Government is fully committed, to ensuring the full participation of as many local contractors as possible.
There will be some inconveniences while these works are ongoing; however, we beg the indulgence of the public as we work to minimize such disruptions.
We specifically ask that the motoring public, adhere to all traffic control signs, that will be in place while they undertake these works.
The other major contract today will be signed between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Sandwise Limited, for the Rehabilitation of Drains, Retaining Walls and Road Works in Parham Town.
This is part of the $15.7 million Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Loan Infrastructural Development Programme to undertake rehabilitation work to roads and bridges damaged by heavy rainfall during the passage of Sub-Tropical Storm Otto, in 2010.
Sandwise Limited submitted the winning bid for the Parham Town works, in the amount of One Million Five Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Five Dollars and Seventy Cents ($1,565,505.70).
Work is expected to commence in a month’s time and will be completed within 180 days or six (6) months from the date of commencement.
You would appreciate that major infrastructural projects of this nature, demand a lot of resources, and would take some time to come to fruition.
I am extremely happy, as Minister, that we have reached this stage, and I would like to thank everyone on the local CDB Project Team, headed by Dr. Drexel Glasgow; the Ministry of Finance; the Ministry of Communications and Works; and other Departments; who cooperated to bring these two projects in Road Town and Parham Town to this point.
I would like to congratulate both contractors on being awarded the opportunity to undertake these very important projects.
I want to encourage you to get on with your respective projects, taking into consideration the need to work in a timely safe and professional manner, and of course within budget.
I am also taking this opportunity to remind all contractors, that other projects are to be tendered within the next few weeks and this is your opportunity to participate in the development of our country.
To the general public as a Government, we appreciate your patience as we work to build a better Virgin Islands for all in the Territory.
Thank you!
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