2 overseas companies in talks on derelict vehicles disposal - Hon Archibald C. Christian
Hon Christian noted too that locals also are willing to provide a similar service.
The second term legislator was speaking with this news site last week Tuesday May 10, 2016 in an exclusive interview in which he spoke of his new area of responsibility - tourism - as the Junior Minister for the subject.
High number of derelict vehicles
Honourable Christian said a lot of vehicles are being imported into the territory and this includes a high number of second hand vehicles. He said that as vehicles are picked up, more of them are decommissioned hence the problem of derelict vehicles persists. He said it appears as if “we as West Indians” don't like to part with old boats and vehicles because of sentimental attachments to them.
“So from time to time you still have pockets where you have to go back and remove.”
According to Hon Christian, the current system of disposing derelict vehicles is done by private contractors.
“So the government will basically pay a private person to haul a vehicle down to Sea Cows Bay and that private contractor will crush those vehicles and then arrange to take them out if the territory.” He said, however, that there arose issues with the equipment used to crush the old vehicles and this caused some degree of backlog on the operations.
He said the vehicles are still being picked up from the side of the roads even though they are not being destroyed fast enough.
“We are in discussions with two companies overseas who have some local components that are looking at making proposals to government for [crushing and removing of derelict vehicles] to take place. So that is in its early stages,” he said.
He added that there are some local persons interested in providing that service but “there is always something they need from Government, whether it is a subsidy or financial assistance.”
Not totally happy
Honourable Christian said that while some efforts have been made towards a cleaner Virgin Islands, he cannot be totally happy.
“I am not totally happy but I am satisfied that we are making some strides. I will still continue to speak about it, as long as it continues to be a problem, to bring awareness where awareness needs to be brought.”
Some months ago, Honourable Christian had created a stir of controversy when he suggested that the persons responsible for the dirty state of some parts of the territory were the expatriates living in the Virgin Islands. He said expatriates come to the territory bringing their “dirty habits” with them.
“I am hearing from time to time that people are saying even in the online discussion that we have to keep the place better than this.”
Honourable Christian believes that an early appreciation for keeping the environment clean can come from being properly educated on the issue.
“We have to do a lot of education...I am now convinced that the education perhaps needs to start in the schools,” he said.
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15 Responses to “2 overseas companies in talks on derelict vehicles disposal - Hon Archibald C. Christian”
The DMV could also be more diligent inasmuch as owners who do not re-license their vehicles for say 3 years need to surrender the vehicle for disposal, or explain how and where the vehicle was disposed of.
OK, I'll stop day dreaming now.
Why don't they use some of this before charging us poor people MORE?