ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, March 26, 2013 - Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool highlighted the infrastructural developments being undertaken in the Second District at Government’s “On the Road” interactive meetings.
“I am fully aware of the many concerns regarding the inconsistency of the water supply in this area,” Minister Vanterpool told the crowd at the Cane Garden Bay Community Centre Monday night. According to the Minister, plans to improve the water situation include increasing water supply at the Baugher’s Bay plant, which he told the residents supplies Cane Garden Bay via the Sabbath Hill Reservoir.
The Minister also announced that he has requested that the BVI Electricity Corporation restart the supply of water from their Pockwood Pond Desalination Plant, in addition, to the re-commissioning of the Zion Hill Reservoir, which will increase storage in the western area.
With regards to sewerage, Minister Vanterpool told the gathering that the Water and Sewerage Department is undertaking preventive measures to avoid any future spillage from the pump station in the event of prolonged power outages. “A contract extension of sewerage service to residents in the Callwood Distillery area has been signed and work will commence later this week; a holding tank in the treatment plant area is also being considered,” Minister Vanterpool stated.
In speaking on the road situation, Minister Vanterpool highlighted four washed out areas in the Cane Garden Bay and Ballast Bay areas as a result of the impact of subtropical Storm Otto in 2010. “We have already rebuilt one retaining wall. Draft contracts are waiting to be signed for the wall by Melvin Hodge which was undermined and should be awarded shortly.”
Minister Vanterpool also noted that a number of issues brought to the Ministry’s attention by the Brewer’s Bay Action Committee are being addressed.
On Jost Van Dyke, Minister Vanterpool highlighted drainage works being undertaken. “Work has already started on two culvert projects along the main road from Great Harbour to Little Harbour. The third project is a retaining wall at First Ghut just past Foxy’s and we are finalising the contracts for this project and expect that work will begin within a month,” he revealed.
The Minister for Communications and Works also spoke to his Ministry's plans to develop an energy policy which would see the entire Territory adopting energy conservation measures and implementing renewable energy systems.
"Government has started to lead the way with the implementation of solar water heaters and lighting, replacing traditional fluorescent lights in Government buildings with LEDs and the BVI Electricity Corporation is already replacing all street lights with solar lights starting in Road Town," he noted.
The next community meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 29 at the Valarie O. Thomas Community Centre. The ‘On the Road’ programme is in keeping with the Government of the Virgin Islands’ commitment to building a ‘people Government’ and a better Virgin Islands.
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
British Virgin Islands News