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Gov’t blasted after family loses home & business in Baughers Bay

- Property damaged by raw sewage & mud due to tropical wave of August 7 & 8, 2017; Family said Government failed to erect a retaining wall for the past 16 years
A section of the road above the home of Z. Marcus Butler in Baughers Bay gave way on August 8, 2017, filling his home and place of business with sand, mud and sewage. Photo: VINO
A fan lies face down in raw sewage at the home of Z. Marcus Butler in Baughers Bay, Tortola. Photo: VINO
A fan lies face down in raw sewage at the home of Z. Marcus Butler in Baughers Bay, Tortola. Photo: VINO
Outside the home of Z. Marcus Butler in Baughers Bay. Photo: VINO
Outside the home of Z. Marcus Butler in Baughers Bay. Photo: VINO
Nearly a half foot of mud in the home of Z. Marcus Butler. Photo: VINO
Nearly a half foot of mud in the home of Z. Marcus Butler. Photo: VINO
A frustrated Z. Marcus Butler has blamed his plight on present and past governments for failing to erect a retaining wall above his home as promised. Photo: VINO
A frustrated Z. Marcus Butler has blamed his plight on present and past governments for failing to erect a retaining wall above his home as promised. Photo: VINO
The Butler family has been staying at neighbours since the home is in no condition to dwell in. Photo: VINO
The Butler family has been staying at neighbours since the home is in no condition to dwell in. Photo: VINO
This broken sewerage main continues to pour gallons of sewage into the home and business place of Mr Z. Marcus Butler. Photo: VINO
This broken sewerage main continues to pour gallons of sewage into the home and business place of Mr Z. Marcus Butler. Photo: VINO
Sewage in the business place of Mr Z. Marcus Butler. Photo: VINO
Sewage in the business place of Mr Z. Marcus Butler. Photo: VINO
This boulder had burst through the home of Mr Z. Marcus Butler a year ago. Photo: VINO
This boulder had burst through the home of Mr Z. Marcus Butler a year ago. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Mr Z. Marcus Butler says he is a victim of failed promises of present and past governments whose negligence almost cost him the lives of his children but did claim the property he once called home and a business that brought him money for sustenance.

Speaking to this news site on August 16, 2017, Mr Butler said his family had the worse scare of their lives during the early morning hours of August 8, 2017.

He explained that he was forced to rush to the bedroom where his children were asleep when he was awaken to the stench of raw sewerage and the sound of saturated dirt and think mud pouring into his home.

"When it started and the road came down I had to move my children from their bedroom to the kitchen but soon after the entire kitchen also was flooded with mud and debris and I had to rush then out and, thanks to kind neighbours, they rescued us for the remainder of the night, but as you can imagine I couldn't sleep because what happen to my home, should never had happen," said the distraught man.

Noting but promises

Mr Butler said he has on record his communication with past and present Ministers of Communications and Works on the need for a retaining wall in his area, which he said was requested some 16 years ago.

"They kept promising to come and get this wall done….and all of them did nothing but promise, promise, promise. I can't do nothing but blame them all for this suffering I am going through, both my family being displaced and my business and home totally gone."

The businessman explained that he had a first blow in 2016 when a boulder from a road above his home broke away and smashed through his home. "BVI Beacon has it documented when that boulder, still outside there, burst through my home last year.  Thank God no one was hurt. They promised again that they were going to get this wall done. It was a rainy season then and now another rainy season come and things worse happen to me and my family."

The man further expressed concern about the safety of residents and their properties above, saying the road is inaccessible and persons have to park their vehicles some distance off and walk to their home.

"If they don't deal with this quickly that entire road is going to come down, and more than likely those houses up there will eventually come crashing down too. Something must be done. I am now the one suffering the most after governments come and go and come and just keep promising and promising.

"Everyone one in this area pays their taxes, pays there rent and all their due to this country and we deserve to be treated fairly," a visibly upset Mr Buttler stated, noting that he has been paying for his family to stay at a hotel but can no longer afford it.

One of his sons is currently part of the National Youth Football Team, which has been enjoying a dominant performance in the CONCACAF U15 Football Tournament in Florida, USA, and has fortunately escaped, for a while, the discomfort faced by the family.

41 Responses to “Gov’t blasted after family loses home & business in Baughers Bay”

  • chad (17/08/2017, 10:17) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    isn't he and his brother big supporters of the NDP?
  • rewrsdffds (17/08/2017, 10:19) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply
    His calypsonian brother was dissing the VIP for building walls for private people
  • sixth (17/08/2017, 10:38) Like (144) Dislike (10) Reply

    I live in the same area and Govt never built any of my 5 retaining walls. Me and Scotiabank who mortgaged my property built them. People must stop depending on Govt for every little thing. God help those who help themselves.

    • Hmmmm (18/08/2017, 06:52) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
      The money does not belong to Government. It is their tax money being paid, bottom line. You can lecture because you are not in his shoes. A millionaire will always have the greatest advice but never tell you how to make a million to become like them. The Road above him is a Public Road to other peoples homes. You saying it is his responsibility to build a protection wall for a public road?
  • pat (17/08/2017, 10:39) Like (24) Dislike (22) Reply
    Let he take that he was all over supporting the useless ndp.

    We do not want to here him
  • Wes (17/08/2017, 10:42) Like (68) Dislike (5) Reply
    Who cut the hill?
  • barbie (17/08/2017, 10:50) Like (84) Dislike (6) Reply
    For several years this problem existed and at no time did Mr. Butler think to start building the wall for himself. We think government should do everything for us but the minute they tell us how to behave and set guideline for us to follow, we in frenzy. Everybody with their hands out but nobody wants to do the work.

    I agree that most people suffered some form of damage from the passing storm, but please get up a do some work and stop blogging all day on every site complain about government lack of assistance. If we would spend the same time doing for ourselves or assisting those in need, we will be surprise how quickly things will move along.
  • pat (17/08/2017, 10:55) Like (73) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm confused. I'm sorry for their property loss, but why is it government's responsibility to build walls when the property owner has cut into the hill making it more unstable? no engineering regulations or standards enforced. Inspectors need to be out and about more.
    • inspectors (17/08/2017, 15:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      The inspectors aren't engineers and so they don't know any better either.
  • Windy (17/08/2017, 10:57) Like (3) Dislike (63) Reply
    So sorry for his pain and imagine the mo mo dr smith sent back the ship
    • SUSS (17/08/2017, 13:19) Like (7) Dislike (18) Reply
      LET HIM SEND FOR THE WAR SHIP NOW AYU DONT SEE THEM PEOPLE HERE BLIND .SOMEONE COMING TO HELP AND THEY REFUSE LET THEM STAY IN THE SLUMP .
  • sir (17/08/2017, 11:10) Like (64) Dislike (1) Reply
    My heartfelt sympathy is with you and your family. I can't understand though, why you continue to place yourself and family at risk of their lives for some 16 years. Move if you are renting or fix the wall if you are homeowner. The way I see it you placed your family in danger while waiting and demanding charity evnthough you had choices. You had insurance , hopefully.


  • Hmm (17/08/2017, 11:41) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did ndp send the rain. Did they cause a flood and slide. So u mad cause u ain't build a wall and blaming the P family vip ndp it don't matter a none a Dem fault. An. All is not lost. When u get help I hope u say too
  • chad (17/08/2017, 11:50) Like (33) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ayo tolan ppl too dependent on the government.... ayo too rotten!!!!!
    • Nah (17/08/2017, 18:34) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      BUTLER TOLAN ?
      • hello (18/08/2017, 12:12) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yes, he is a Born Tolian, his Mother is an indigenous virgin Islander
        • always (18/08/2017, 15:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          But his male role model . Too much nonsense on this place from these newbies where at least one parent is from updeislun. M







  • Lawsuit (17/08/2017, 11:56) Like (1) Dislike (22) Reply
    Sounds like a lawsuit and your statute of limitations might be only 6 months to file a claim in court so see a lawyer immediately and take action.
  • Hear me (17/08/2017, 12:42) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply

    The dependency syndrome and also the victim syndrome is the cause of the mental paralysis which is destructive to many of our people. All I can suggest is that this man somehow frees his mind ,become emancipated and grab the reins of his personal and family responsibility How do you risk everything daily including the lives of your children for sixteen long years waiting for Santa Claus.. 

  • Serious (17/08/2017, 14:02) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    He is making a serious point. If something isn't done quickly by whom ever those big houses will soon come tumbling down and create destruction....Sad to hear your sad sad story Mr Butler. Now u know that u can't trust or depend on politician
  • Ummm (17/08/2017, 14:07) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where do people get the idea from that government is responsible for perfecting YOUR property? Retaining walls are not the responsibility of the Government. If you build on a piece of land that requires a retaining wall be put in place to help secure and protect your home then that is YOUR responsibility. The government IS NOT obligated to erect retaining walls for land/home owners. People need to come out if this nonsense and stop trying to dig into the Government's already SHALLOW pockets
  • Homeowner (17/08/2017, 14:15) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Get yourself homeowners Insurance.
    • Exactly (17/08/2017, 18:03) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I have homeowners Insurance in the event something like this happens or a fire. When I used to live in the States and renting, before you get the Apartment you have to get Apartment Insurance in order to rent.
    • Just saying (23/08/2017, 09:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Only for the insurance company to tell you the wall is not connected to the house,and you get $0 !!!!!and you have no choice but to get a lawyer to add to your mounting bills,for them to turn around and give u a fraction of the cost of rebuilding the walll!!!!!! That's what we have to go through here in the BVI
  • Come on (17/08/2017, 14:40) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is the only other place besides America that people could come and live amongst us so peacefully. Get land to buy so easily and still turn around and want the government to build wall to protect there property.how much more can this government do?Come on people let's do something for ourselves
    • Local (17/08/2017, 16:26) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
      The gentleman is a born BVI and so were his mom get your story right before you blog. Remember this today for me tomorrow for you. What about the BERLIN wall that the BVI government built for the CEO of a company right here in the BVI. We have to help the less fortunate not the rich and powerful.
    • voiceofthevoiceless (17/08/2017, 19:49) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
      The Man is a born VI Islander so don't allow ignorance to be your guiding force. His mother Wilma Malone Butler who is now deceased is a born and bred Virgin Islander right there in the Fort Hill area. In any case what difference does it make where he was born? If he came here settled and acquired land kudos to him and maybe some V I Islanders should quit sitting on their laurels, bling blinging in fancy cars and expensive jewelry and instead buy a piece of the rock too.

      In regards to the matter of hand really tragic issue but half the story has not been told. This is not a one family issue but a community issue as the road above is now virtually impassable affecting numerous families. Was Mr. Butler's plan approved without the retainer wall? If so why? Were landslides occurring that same spot before he built there? Who cut the initial road? Was there not a plan to build a wall before Mr .Butler built his house there? Maybe that is the reason why he waited for 16 years? Is Mr. Butler asking for the Government to build the entire wall or just assist with technical expertise and some financial assistance?
      • builder (18/08/2017, 12:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Lots of persons take shortcuts when building to save money despite what was approved by TCP. Was this the case? 16 years is a long time to wait while endangering your entire family and yourself. Sometimes you have to grab the bull by the horns.
  • @Come on (17/08/2017, 16:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do not speak what you do not know.
  • Common Sense (17/08/2017, 16:32) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Common Sense will tell you to build a retaining wall before you build your house. Just like Sixth say Me and Scotia Bank built my wall as well. One lazy man I know who has a piece of land has been waiting for government to pave his road for many years now so he can build his house while he and his wife sharing a room in his mother's house. Guess what his wife left his sorry back-side. Government still has not paved that road and he still has not build. I doubt he can find the boundaries to his property with all the bush that has grown over the years. People must stop depending on Govt for every little thing.
  • Manchild (17/08/2017, 20:16) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is wrong with these men these days. They just waiting forever on Mommy to wipe their nose. And women who have children with them are just as bad. This man waiting everyday for a disaster so he could blame. No shame at all. What kind of role model is he?
  • Vision (18/08/2017, 08:27) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    ndp have no positive vision.
  • EVERYONE (18/08/2017, 10:56) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    It's a lot to it more than you all might think. If all the mud and sewage is coming FROM a government road, it is their responsibility. Behold the use of the public funds (tax dollar). If the building was approved, yet in a compromising location, how about planning authority. If structures fail, how about public works.
    I would say they all fall under the BVI government.
  • hi (18/08/2017, 18:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    One cover of water
  • OH WOW (19/08/2017, 19:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh wow! 16 years. That is patience. After one year, I would probably have started to build my own wall. 50 blocks a month after 16 years is how much again? One heck of a retainer wall, that's what it is.
  • True (27/08/2017, 15:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man's sun represents the BVI well....


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