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A hot & sweaty welcome @ Road Town Ferry Dock

Residents and visitors must also stand in long lines, essentially clustered in the building’s sweltering conditions, while waiting for hours for both Immigration and Customs services. Photo: Team of Reporters
Acting General Manager of the BVI Ports Authority, Mr Akeem R. Pickering, told our newsroom they are aware of the situation and they have already “signed the necessary document for the contractor Todman AC to carry out the works.” Photo: Team of Reporters
Acting General Manager of the BVI Ports Authority, Mr Akeem R. Pickering, told our newsroom they are aware of the situation and they have already “signed the necessary document for the contractor Todman AC to carry out the works.” Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The BVI Ports Authority, hence the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI), re-opened the Road Town Ferry Terminal in the middle of May 2018, after Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed the building in September of 2017.

However, many staff—Immigration, Customs and Ports Authority—have complained that the Air Condition (AC) unit, has not been restored resulting in poor working conditions.

Staff in recent weeks, have had to endure the 'heat' and 'sweat' on all shifts and are sometimes made to stand, for hours at their stations. 

In addition, residents and visitors must also stand in long lines, essentially clustered in the building’s sweltering conditions, while waiting for hours for both Immigration and Customs services.

Children & Babies in heat at RT Ferry Terminal

Some Customs and Immigration employees—continuing to do an extraordinary job despite the situation— were lucky to receive some stand-up fans, but for the most part they appear to be blowing ‘hot air.’

Our roving camera observed, just yesterday, June 27, 2018, when one of the ferry came in with a full boat of passengers at the Road Town ferry Terminal that even children and babies had to be victims of the punishing heat once they entered the building.

Acting General Manager of the BVI Ports Authority, Mr Akeem R. Pickering, told our newsroom they are aware of the situation and they have already “signed the necessary document for the contractor Todman AC to carry out the works.”  

He did not advise however, what time frame the contractor was given.

9 Responses to “A hot & sweaty welcome @ Road Town Ferry Dock”

  • Not Rocket Science (28/06/2018, 15:40) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    If you want tourists to come back, you need to hustle and get the AC going quickly.
  • Liddy (28/06/2018, 16:04) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    what else is new here?
  • qc (28/06/2018, 17:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    what else is new here?
  • Curious Cat (28/06/2018, 17:23) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who was the mastermind behind the layout of that facility. Totally ridiculous. You’re standing in line, but you cannot see the officer and they cannot see you.
    • jeez (30/06/2018, 08:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I want to know who’s in charge of infrastructure cause they clearly get everything wrong.
  • We're In A State! (29/06/2018, 16:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    My poor country. When it isn't one mess, it's another. Sigh..
  • pat (30/06/2018, 00:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ndp must go
  • west end (05/10/2019, 07:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Coming to West End is a breath of fresh air even though it’s temporary.
    The rules change in town depending on whose there. The little short man standing behind the desk need some customer service manners!! OMG. He is so rude.
    And the other lady from East pulls her friends out of the line in customs and help them through while others stand and watch.
    I beg the Honorable Premier and his team to spend a day there and observe.


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