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Even the Governor cannot take a shower! SFC report

-Water woes at Government House not to be blamed on the National Democratic Party stalling of the Biwater project, but a leaking cistern
According to the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee report, funds are desperately needed to repair a leaking cistern at the Governor’s residence. Photo: OGHM.org
It may appear sometimes that Her Majesty the Queen’s Representative John S Duncan OBE and at least one other previous Governor at times were not able to take showers because of the lack of water at Government House. Left: Former Governor of the Virgin Islands David Peary. Photo: VINO/File/Wikipedia
It may appear sometimes that Her Majesty the Queen’s Representative John S Duncan OBE and at least one other previous Governor at times were not able to take showers because of the lack of water at Government House. Left: Former Governor of the Virgin Islands David Peary. Photo: VINO/File/Wikipedia
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While the country continues to rightly blame the National Democratic Party (NDP) regime for the lack of potable water on a consistent basis to residents because of their deliberate stalling of the Biwater project, the Government critics cannot blame the ruling Administration when it comes to no water at the residence of the United Kingdom-appointed Virgin Islands Governor.

It may appear sometimes that Her Majesty the Queen’s Representative John S Duncan OBE and at least one other previous Governor at times were not able to take showers because of the lack of water at the Government-owned mansion referred to as Government House located in Road Town.

Leaking cistern at Governor’s residence for 3 to 4 years- $11,000.00 to repair

One of the issues that came out of the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance  Committee report while the Private Secretary to the Governor, Mrs Natalie Fahie-Smith, was testifying before the committee to Examine the Draft Estimates for the year 2015 is that funds are desperately needed to repair a leaking cistern at the Governor’s residence.

Mrs Fahie-Smith told Legislators that the leaking cistern was a major concern, as it did not hold any water and oftentimes the Governor “had no water supply”.

When questioned by the seasoned Legislator and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) as to how long the problem existed, Mrs Fahie-Smith said; “for about three to four years” and made it clear that last year she brought the matter again before the Standing Finance Committee but it was not addressed.

The Private Secretary to the Governor stated that there were two cisterns and the one in question was a backup so when the other one ran low; technically, there was no back up and this needed to be rectified.

The member for the Third District, Hon Fraser, enquired on the cost to fix the cistern. To this Mrs Fahie-Smith stated that she had received a quotation for approximately $11,000.00.

New Governor’s House just completed in 2003

In November 2003, the new governor’s residence was completed at a whopping cost to tax payers of $3.2 million dollars. The first governor to occupy the mansion was former Governor Thomas T. Macan.

The project, which included a reception hall, was built by Meridian Construction and designed by OBM and FCO Estates.

18 Responses to “Even the Governor cannot take a shower! SFC report”

  • bam (05/01/2015, 15:13) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    so know he feels what we peolple face each day!
  • Dear Governor (05/01/2015, 15:33) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    welcome to the club
  • bull frog (05/01/2015, 15:38) Like (11) Dislike (26) Reply
    asnaother reason why NDP must go look how they held up Biwater for nasty politcal reasons....but our finger wet
  • Music (05/01/2015, 16:25) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the case is overstated. Its called litotes - exaggeration for the sake of emphases. It is the back up cistern that leaks, not the main one.
  • just adking... (05/01/2015, 16:52) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    A house costing over 3 m built just a few years ago who is to be held accountable?
  • Tunder storm (05/01/2015, 21:27) Like (4) Dislike (16) Reply
    Hey guess what hold Meridian. Construction. Liable Hello. Over 3miil come. On
  • Pool (05/01/2015, 22:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Water water everywhere
  • JACK BE STILL (05/01/2015, 23:49) Like (2) Dislike (16) Reply
    Ndp stalled biwater what about we who have no cistern like deeds governors living rent free
  • S.R. (06/01/2015, 08:08) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I had a cistern leak. Little to no street water. I purchased a submersible pump, drained the cistern dry, went in and shoved muck from bottom into pail which wife pulled up, tapped walls until found leak, fixed, painted two coats with proper paint and it has not leaked since (5 years)!! $11,000??? are you kidding me??
    • @ S.R. (06/01/2015, 10:38) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Tel them to give you the job and let them pay you the $11,000 since they got money to waste.
  • my two cents (06/01/2015, 11:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the country is just going to hell in a hand basket bottom line
    • weed (06/01/2015, 15:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      The expectations are high for Julian Fraser to deliver on their promise of making the BVI work like a functional governing body again
  • farmer brown (06/01/2015, 16:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let the fco pay for he
  • Macnamara (06/01/2015, 17:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If water and sewage dealt promptly with reported burst mains and water pouring down the hill to waste it might help. Took them six hours to turn off mains at Watley/Macnamara junction yesterday in spite of several calls.
  • cay (06/01/2015, 18:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well sir
    • kevin (07/01/2015, 02:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      These people are ignorant and corrupt dinosaurs with the wisdom of a reptile.
  • wize up (06/01/2015, 20:33) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    please give this NDP/VIP finger-pointing a break now; the water problems in the BVI is far more than 10-years old; so how can someone in their right-mind cast blame on an administration that is just 3- years old..just a reminder to one and all, the virgin Islands Party ruled the BVI for well over 30-years(we had water problem all back then)....let all work with each-other and correct what problems we see in the BVI rather than making such issues a political platform( the politicians and their special interest-groups will stoop to any-level just to win an election...power hungry)


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