$2M raised by TRC allocated to EE/LL Sewerage Project
Premier Fahie said thanks to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), the project that had been pushed on the side by the NDP will be addressed.
“In these trying times, the TRC has stepped up to the plate and pulled its weight in a way that has never been done since the inception of the Telecommunications Act 2006. As a result of the diligence of the Commission, $2 million has been raised for the government’s coffers, which will be allocated for the commencement of the long-awaited, long overdue East End/Long Look Sewerage Project.”
He added: “The people of East End/Long Look will be happy and relieved to see the start of the project in the very near future now that some funding is coming into place. The people of East End/Long Look have endured inconvenience and exposure for far too long. They endured heartbreak in seeing the eight million dollars allocated under the previous administration being re-directed under that said administration to the Tortola Pier Park Project.”
No discrimination
The Premier said his government does not discriminate against persons in the Territory and will help the people as per their promise.
“We are not vindictive, we do not punish people for not voting for us. We are the government for all the districts and all of the people, and we are fair in how we operate.”
Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn is the Representative for the Eighth District and was also in Government and remained silent when his NDP party took monies ear-marked for that important project and forwarded to the Pier Park Project, which saw overruns of some $40M.
Historic
Premier Fahie said it is his understanding that since the Telecommunications Act came into force in 2006, “I am advised that this is the first time in the history of the Commission the TRC’s budget has been approved and laid before the legislature.”
He said the Act is clear that the sources of revenue for the Commission is levy and royalties.
He explained that the royalties are currently calculated at three per cent of the gross telecommunications revenue of each licensed operator.
“I can confirm that this sum has been collected from each of the four licensed operators for the 2019/2020 year and because of this collection, the TRC is able to transfer surplus funds to the Consolidated Funds with the assignment to the East End/Long Look Sewerage Project. The industry levy is calculated via a process and formula and is also supposed to be collected from the four licensed operators. However, I am advised that since the inception of the Commission, and the Telecommunication Act in 2006, the industry levy has never been conducted by the Commission.”
He explained that this non-collection of the industry levy has led to the Commission operating solely on royalty revenues collected and not having the industry levy money to serve its operation or to apply otherwise.
This year, he said he had advised the Commission that the industry levies are to be collected so that the TRC can do its work.
He said work in that regard has commenced and the sum to be collected is in the region of $4 million, which will be transferred to the Consolidated Fund.
9 Responses to “$2M raised by TRC allocated to EE/LL Sewerage Project”
We are greatly suffering for all these years. We need this solution like last year.
My concern is if $8 million was diverted how will $2 Million complete the project.
Der Social Security, please do your civic usual kindness to goodness and help liberate us residents from EE/LL. Hoping the Liberator will put a hand or a voice in helping to liberate us. Its been an enormous suffering situation for too long. Please God is Great.