Road Town, Tortola - Government signed a contract with Ocean Conversion BVI Limited today for the purchase of water from the Bar Bay Desalination Plant located on the eastern end of Tortola at a ceremony held in the Premier’s Conference Room.
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE, signed the contract on behalf of the Government with Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Julian Fraser, RA as his witness.
“I want to thank the Ocean Conversion Directors and staff for supplying this facility and for the business of producing and selling water. Government is buying to make sure the people of the Territory get a dependable and reliable supply of water, a supply that meets the international standards of the World Health Organization,” the Premier said during his remarks.
According to the contract, Government will pay a rate of $17.00 per 1,000 imperial gallons for an initial period of seven years and reserves the right to extend the agreement for an additional seven years.
During his remarks, Minister Fraser spoke of the importance of business continuity between Government and Ocean Conversion. “Signing this agreement ensures the continuity of a relationship which started, indirectly in 1991, when Government entered into an agreement with Reliable Water to operate the Baugher’s Bay Plant and since then it has become direct after Consolidated Water and Ocean Conversion teamed to become our suppliers,” the minister stated.
Minister Fraser thanked the team from Ocean Conversion for their persistence and consistency “in being here today to continue this long relationship that was established several years ago”.
In his response, President of Ocean Conversion BVI Mr. Glenn Harrigan said, “On behalf of Ocean Conversion, its shareholders, Sage Water Holdings, Consolidated Water and its investors in the British Virgin Islands, I would like to give thanks to God and express gratitude to the Cabinet Committee and all involved in the negotiations for the fact that we are here today, finally able to sign a contract for the supply of water in the British Virgin Islands.”
Also in attendance were Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC, Territorial Representative Honourable Irene Penn-O’Neal, Fifth District Representative Honourable Elvis J. Harrigan, Fourth District Representative Dr. the Honourable Vincent Scatliffe, among other senior public servants. The ceremony was chaired by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mr. Julian Willock.
Government is committed to the modernisation and expansion of the Territory’s infrastructure.
British Virgin Islands News