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Almost 3 mths after Hurricane Irma, North Sound & 95% of JVD without power

Residents of North Sound, Virgin Gorda are experiencing prolonged hardships due to lack of electricity, nearly three months after Hurricane Irma ravaged the Virgin Islands. Photo: Team of Reporters
Less than 5% of the residents of Jost van Dyke are with electricity, nearly three months after Hurricane Irma hit the Territory. Photo: ITV.com
Less than 5% of the residents of Jost van Dyke are with electricity, nearly three months after Hurricane Irma hit the Territory. Photo: ITV.com
General Manager (GM) of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham has confirmed that North Sound and most of Jost van Dyke remains without electricity. Photo: VINO/File
General Manager (GM) of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham has confirmed that North Sound and most of Jost van Dyke remains without electricity. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) has claimed that the Virgin Islands (VI) is “back on its feet and open for business” the reality on the ground is completely the opposite.

Almost three months after the powerful category 5 Hurricane Irma destroyed the VI on Wednesday September 6, 2017 leaving death, homelessness and the infrastructure smashed, many residents of the sister islands and cays are still without electricity.

As of today, Tuesday November 28, 2017 there is not even one house on North Sound in Virgin Gorda that has power. In addition, on the sister island of Jost van Dyke the story is about the same, with less than 5% of the residents with electricity.

While the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has come in for some very well deserved praise for their hard work and commitment, their work is slow, as they are required to build back almost an entire feeder and electrical system.

Damage to BVIEC’s electrical grid is extensive 

In some communities on all the islands, every single electrical pole was affected by the powerful winds of Hurricane Irma then after Maria, resulting in poles and lines being down, broken up or rooted out of the ground and street lights destroyed.

Many residents continue to suffer having to purchase gasoline and diesel for generators on a daily basis, as the Corporation struggles with obtaining adequate material, manpower and financing for the costly operations.

Notwithstanding, many areas on Tortola, Valley, Virgin Gorda and Anegada have pockets of electricity, but the sister island of Jost van Dyke and North Sound continue to suffer hardship.

Many persons from North Sound, Virgin Gorda and Jost van Dyke have called our newsroom to complain about the undue struggle.

It’s not easy, but by Christmas 2017- Abraham 

General Manager (GM) of the BVI Electricity Corporation Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham, when contacted, confirmed that North Sound and most of Jost van Dyke remain without electricity.

He stated that “in both cases the main feeders have to be reconstructed.” When asked when residents and businesses in those areas can expect power back, the GM responded that “I cannot guarantee a date, but approximately before Christmas 2017.”

One resident living in North Sound alleged that their Representative Dr The Honourable Hubert O’Neal (R9) should be “beating on the Minister of Works to ensure that we get power as soon as possible, but you know we have no voice…”

There have been some eight countries on the ground to help restore power in the Territory following hurricanes Irma and Maria. The countries and utility organisations represented are Aruba, Grenada, Belize, St Vincent, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, St Lucia and Valard from Canada.

Who you know?

There are also isolated reports on Tortola that in certain areas electricity is being restored to friends and family of Corporation employees, politicians and others with “connections”; however, our newsroom could not confirm these allegations.

23 Responses to “Almost 3 mths after Hurricane Irma, North Sound & 95% of JVD without power”

  • fish (28/11/2017, 09:09) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks for always keeping it real vino
  • trrefdrfds (28/11/2017, 09:35) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    "There are also isolated reports on Tortola that in certain areas electricity is being restored to friends and family of Corporation employees, politicians and others with “connections.”
  • chad (28/11/2017, 09:38) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    They complain about power back on we in the North of the great mountain Spooner George north side and other areas we will not see power back on until next year January or February so we just sit and wait and see
  • See (28/11/2017, 10:07) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    no power on the north of Tortola either . Cane , Brewers , Cappon , Carrott , Josiahs , etc
  • justa point (28/11/2017, 10:13) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Connections are important. Just remember the difference between positive and negative.
  • Gumption.Official (28/11/2017, 10:19) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    What’s more crazy is the fact we didn’t had stable water for two years befor Irma. It’s sad how they been treating North Sound. I don’t think our elected district representative is respected by her team. If you’ll don’t want to get it power before the year done at least give us runner water. Thank you VINO.
  • D6 (28/11/2017, 10:21) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    No power nor water on in District 6 either.
    • @D6 (28/11/2017, 14:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Are you referring to Baughers Bay and Purcell?????
    • @D6 (28/11/2017, 14:39) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Your representative only looks out for her people in Baugher bay. You don't see the garbage build up through the street and nothing is being done too.
    • Glen (30/11/2017, 18:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      No power or water in Josiah’s bay either. None I tell you....NONE!
  • Lite (28/11/2017, 13:41) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    North sound is vip so its punishment
  • resident (28/11/2017, 13:52) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Horse path,no water,no electricity and basically right in town.
    • long look me come from (28/11/2017, 16:00) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      The problem is the ndp still missing after hurricane irma smh
  • ... (28/11/2017, 16:01) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    And the moo moo man say we back on our feet please
  • Street reporter (28/11/2017, 16:12) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    This Hurricane season and Hurricane Irma expose further the weakness in DDM and NDP.
  • VG (28/11/2017, 17:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    North Sound had water problems long before Irma. Bertie was AWOL and MIA. He has got to GO. VGROC has done sooooo much more for VG and Anegada than he has ever done or will ever do. We need a Town Council with our own budget for the 9th District.
  • free bottom & pucel (29/11/2017, 10:43) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Free Bottom & pucel still without current!!! Hurry please!
  • Jay (29/11/2017, 19:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about Josiah Bay area? Ridge Road? Is there any power in district #8? Can't someone tell us the estimated time?
  • electric man (30/11/2017, 07:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hear you got no help from UK electricity people coz no money to pay dem.
  • griping (30/11/2017, 16:10) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    People patience is the word. Poles lines were destroyed. You all think it's as simple as planting a pole and running a wire. Geez man. These guys are working their asses off it will take time. In case you all forgot it's two Cat5 hurricanes hit us in the space of two weeks, prior to that was the flood on Aug 7th. Tired of hearing people griping. Learn to adapt and adjust until such time


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