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Gov’t fast tracks Pockwood Pond Incinerator repairs

- $353,453 to be expended on repair project
The decision comes after a fire destroyed portions of the incinerator on November 26, 2018, having been as a result of an explosion of the LPG tank. Photo: VINO/File
According to Cabinet, the tender process was waived to “purchase of an incinerator control panel box on the basis that there is only one manufacturer, and the procurement of electrical services at the Incinerator Plant in Pockwood Pond in order to expedite repairs to the Incinerator,” the report stated. Photo: VINO/File
According to Cabinet, the tender process was waived to “purchase of an incinerator control panel box on the basis that there is only one manufacturer, and the procurement of electrical services at the Incinerator Plant in Pockwood Pond in order to expedite repairs to the Incinerator,” the report stated. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands (VI) via its Post Meeting Statements for April 3 through 17, 2019, have indicated that a waiver of the tender process for procuring key equipment has been instituted in an effort to fast track repairs to the Incinerator Plant in Pockwood Pond.

The decision comes after a fire destroyed portions of the incinerator on November 26, 2018, having been as a result of an explosion of the LPG tank.

Control Panel Box

According to Cabinet, the tender process was waived to “purchase of an incinerator control panel box on the basis that there is only one manufacturer, and the procurement of electrical services at the Incinerator Plant in Pockwood Pond in order to expedite repairs to the Incinerator,” the report stated.

Further, Government has entered into an agreement with Consutech Systems LLC for the purchase of a “CS-4000 Incinerator Replacement Solid State Control Panel,” at the cost of $161,300.00. 

Skelton Electrics Ltd will also be contracted to the amount of $192,153.60 to carry out electrical repairs to the Incinerator Plant, bring the total cost of the repairs to $353,453. 

Environmental Impacts

During the fire, plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the incinerator, affecting residents, as it permeated the atmosphere over to the western end of Tortola.

The public has since been using the dump site on the hill, leading to several environmental issues such as landfill fires in addition to a plague of mosquitoes and flies surrounding the area.

3 Responses to “Gov’t fast tracks Pockwood Pond Incinerator repairs”

  • 123 (26/04/2019, 13:59) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    its about time thank god for VIP
  • Quiet Warriir (26/04/2019, 15:01) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This project is long over due. If it is a sole source procurement, what took so long to start procurement process? The incinerator must be in a high state of operational readiness to control the emissions that posed a health risks to residents who live on the western area of Tortola, as well as residents of St. John. The Department of Health must demonstrate some corporate social responsibility.
  • Archaic (27/04/2019, 09:17) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The incinerator has been a disaster since day 1. After it was purchased, it was brought to the Territory where it remained disassembled and inoperative for six years before the govt spent something like $ 1 million for a contractor to wire it up. Are there any records that it was done to specification? Are there any PM maintenance records? Was anyone trained on how to operate and maintain it? Any thought given to evaluating how much service life is left before spending more? Indeed, is incineration the way to go in this day and age? If it is, then more monies will be needed to install emissions controls that will also require routine maintenance and documentation thereof. Seems like the whole thing is being run like an old island car held together with baling wire and duct tape.


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