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‘Hon Vanterpool must accept responsibility for water woes!’ - Hon Fraser

-said Hon Vanterpool’s response did not refute the figures he presented in his statement on VIP’s Let’s Talk
VIP Chairman Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) (left) has dismissed a statement by Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (right) on the current water situation on Tortola. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Fraser had alleged that Government spends half a million dollars a month unnecessarily for water and that the Government had enough time to prepare for Biwater's operations. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Fraser had alleged that Government spends half a million dollars a month unnecessarily for water and that the Government had enough time to prepare for Biwater's operations. Photo: VINO/File
SEA COW’S BAY, Tortola, VI – Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) has dismissed a statement by Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) in response to his radio show comments on the water situation as "childish tit for tat."

Minister Vanterpool’s statement in response to Hon Fraser was sent out to media houses yesterday February 24, 2015 and sought to refute the allegations that Hon Fraser made during the last VIP Let’s Talk radio show of February 18, 2015.

An excerpt of the Minister’s statement said: “Here are the facts….and it is a downright shame that Honourable Fraser is misleading the people of these Virgin Islands with misguided information, to make it seem as though our current Government is wasting taxpayers’ money, when it was his Government that got us into this Biwater mess.

“The previous Virgin Islands Party Government signed a $200 million no-bid contract with Biwater on February 18, 2010, in the middle of a global recession, guaranteeing Biwater payment for 2.3 million imperial gallons of water per day, amounting to approximately $1 million per month, whether we used it or not.

“On top of that, this Government has to pay Biwater’s electric bill, at a rate of $7 per thousand gallons, amounting to approximately $400,000 per month or approximately $5 million a year. This is the absurdity of this contract that our Government is presently grappling with."

Hon Fraser’s response

In response, Hon Fraser said that the Minister has not refuted the figures that he put forward and that the Minister refused to accept responsibility for the current situation.

“By now everyone would have seen or heard the childish tit for tat behavior by the Minister for Communications and Works regarding his handling of the woeful state of Tortola's water supply issues, in what seems to have been a response to my reporting of the facts pertaining to wasteful spending during Wednesday night's VIP Let’s Talk Radio Programme,” said Hon Fraser in a statement to this news site today. “The Minister instead of accepting responsibility, he seems to have taken offense and issued a statement of his own.”

He continued, “I have noted keenly however, that in all his rant, Minister Vanterpool has not once refuted the figures I've presented illustrating his unnecessary and wasteful spending of half a million dollars a month to Biwater and Aqua Design for water not used because of his government's ruthless attempt to sabotage the Biwater agreement through their refusal to honour the Government's responsibility under the said Agreement."

“That miscalculation on Minister Vanterpool's part that Biwater would just simply go away if the infrastructure was not put in place, coupled together with political pressure, has prevented his Government from being able to distribute the water when the Biwater Plant began to produce, thus forcing them to go and buy water from Aqua Design, essentially paying for the same water twice,” Hon Fraser said.

He pointed out that not once has Minister Vanterpool addressed the issue he raised regarding his failure to expand and upgrade the water distribution system, which he said is the root cause for all this wasteful spending.

“Instead, he decided to make the erroneous claim that the Biwater Plant's location is a problem, when in fact, that Plant is actually placing water in the same Sabbath Hill reservoir which has always been responsible for supplying Brewers Bay, Cane Garden Bay, the Ridge Road, Chalwell, and all parts above Fort Hill. And besides, the island's water distribution system is looped, which means that water produced in Capoon's Bay can be sent to Balsam Ghut through the current network of pipes, pumps and reservoirs,” he said.

“For some reason however, the Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool has failed to realize that this system for island wide distribution exists but is in need of serious upgrade and some expansion. Three years and three months were more than enough time to prepare for this mess he has on his hand,” Hon Fraser said.

Blaming the VIP

Hon Fraser said that the Minister again sought to blame the VIP for the current water woes. “Blaming our government for not upgrading the distribution system between 2010 and 2011 to distribute water that only started production in November 2014, which was a full 3 years after we left office; when his government had from November 2011 to November 2014, a full 3 years to do the work, reminded me of the Premier blaming our government for France blacklist on the territory which was placed in August of 2013, a full year and 9 months after we left office. It is the classic case of failure to accept responsibility. That is not going to work. Not this time,” said Hon Fraser.

Self interest

Hon Fraser said that when the Minister asked whose side he was on, he said, “The Peoples Side, something he won't understand, because it's a stark contrast to his administration's philosophy of tilting the playing field to the benefit of self-interest.”

“The people of Tortola are fed up and are not interested in this constant claim and counterclaim of which Government is to be blamed for what, they just need a constant supply of high quality water, which is what the Biwater Agreement offers. That water is currently ready for delivery if only the government would take it,” said Hon Fraser.

 

48 Responses to “‘Hon Vanterpool must accept responsibility for water woes!’ - Hon Fraser”

  • YAWN (25/02/2015, 17:25) Like (104) Dislike (25) Reply
    What a lame response. If you signed a contract with Biwater and didn't plan for the infrastructure IT IS YOUR FAULT!!!!!!!! You didn't leave a plan or funds for NDP to carry out the project so how could it be done in time? IT is called PLANNING! Fraser you are the weakest link - goodbye!
    • conflict of intrest (25/02/2015, 23:04) Like (18) Dislike (16) Reply
      I hope during the campagin the VIP remind the people how we got here now after three long years with no water and who are single
      handedly responsible NDP and BVI investment club .
      • lmao (26/02/2015, 09:15) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
        NDP and Investment Club brought Biwater here? Investment Club owned one of the 4 companies operating in BVI before Biwater came. Why is the focus only on OC? What about Aqua Design that sits on the Liberator land? You all think we sleeping but wait, it got thing simmering and steaming for you all.
    • Lame (26/02/2015, 08:57) Like (3) Dislike (16) Reply
      @ YAWN, The NDP is incompetent, they took over the government, and their job is to run the country. You mean to tell me that they could be so wreck less and willful to know that 2.3 million gallons of water was coming and they did nothing, and you going blame a government out of office for 3 years?

      That water production didn't start till November 2014. How much time did NDP need to upgrade and expand? They had 3 years to do it.
      • i from here (26/02/2015, 11:56) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
        Donkey! You asking the NDP Gov't to spend MILLIONS to upgrade the pipe line and it's almost 3 years Biwater was trying to find water from an empty Well ???

        Is NDP allow Biwater to get water from the sea after they couldn't get any water from the Well.
  • chad (25/02/2015, 17:43) Like (54) Dislike (12) Reply
    Hon. Fraser the bottom-line is if you did not mess it up in the first place Hon. Vanterpool would have nothing to fix.
    • --------------------------- (25/02/2015, 23:06) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
      the usless NDP will blame the VIP again. why they do not tell the real story about why they still tyng to kill biwater for their own selfish reaons
  • ooooo (25/02/2015, 17:44) Like (9) Dislike (25) Reply
    action man only making noise because the nipple slipped out of his mouth in many ways....TT $ OC
  • vip (25/02/2015, 17:45) Like (12) Dislike (28) Reply
    The NDP was trying to spite Biwater and it backfired in their faces.
  • Honorable fools (25/02/2015, 17:50) Like (34) Dislike (5) Reply
    "Three years and three months were more than enough time to prepare for this MESS HE HAS ON HIS HAND,” Hon Fraser said." Im glad he recognized he left a MESS ON Hon. Vanterpool HAND.
    • ta ta (25/02/2015, 23:11) Like (5) Dislike (17) Reply
      Mark and the NDP thinks the people memory short and will try to fool us about biwater like they did before!!!! But keep the public informed Fraser and the VIP
    • understanding (26/02/2015, 07:29) Like (1) Dislike (18) Reply
      @honorable fools, the mess we have on our hands is NDP incompetence. Had NDP not fire Ray George they would have known what they had to do
      • Honorable fools (26/02/2015, 09:18) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        to understanding.....Ray George! really that's your idea of a competent person. Ok now we know ........ WOW
  • .... (25/02/2015, 17:56) Like (7) Dislike (13) Reply
    Good idea fraser keep them on there toes
    • good move (25/02/2015, 23:40) Like (7) Dislike (11) Reply
      I am simply happy the VIP took his gloves off and started swinging the very day of the NDP LIES
  • Vg man (25/02/2015, 19:30) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    no water no vote we on vg sick of water going every night, its a disgrace
  • cay (25/02/2015, 20:14) Like (8) Dislike (53) Reply
    We trust frsser over mark anyday
    • @Cay (25/02/2015, 22:38) Like (38) Dislike (3) Reply

      Who we? Must be mean some of Sea Cows Bay people alone..His excuse does not fit the mess he created. You want to graduate from school, you study had. They water system was in ciaos before he signed that c...ked deal. He needed to fix the pipes etc to accommodate BiWater before he signed an contract. In fact, he should not have signed onto BiWater. We already had enough water plants here. All the then government had to o was ask them to increase their capacity...but noooo, he had to bring i another company just like the cell phone mess he now has us in..Frazer aim is to destroy every local company..so sad..maybe he needs to go back to the USA for he's still holding their passport.

      • rattie (26/02/2015, 08:06) Like (1) Dislike (43) Reply
        after three years the NDP is not fit for purpuse and now that is a fact!!!
    • Virgin Son (25/02/2015, 23:17) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
      I agree for never before in our history we had so much water problems until Mark tried to stop Biwater from moving forward with its contract..that's why NDP must go!
  • lmao (25/02/2015, 22:26) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
    Fraser calling the Biwater issue a mess?? Who is writing for these guys? My god! He finally admitting that it's a mess? His own words...
    • Slocum (26/02/2015, 12:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Lmao, You can try to tist tings like NDP style. No Biwater issue is not a mess. Mark ceated a mess by not being able to take Biwater 2.3 million gallons. He simply try to chase them by frustrating them by not taking the water them produce. But guess who got the last laugh...... The man is so smart he didn't realize that take water or not, he still had to pay.
  • farmer brown (25/02/2015, 23:08) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
    thanks fraser the liberator It's about time, I was wondering if the NDP thinks we VIP are sitting on our brins like in 2011...hit thme Fraser hit them.
  • yellow (25/02/2015, 23:13) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Hit then hard with the real facts as Mark cannot say anythng about fraser's facts and stats
  • VAT (25/02/2015, 23:20) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Fix him Fraser Fix him an correct Marks LIES, took long enough, but better late than never!
  • george w touch (25/02/2015, 23:32) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mark Vanterpool statement reminds me how deeds NDP cowbirds throw accusations at Mr. Fraser and yet they can't knock him down. It's getting old. Despite...
  • the people (26/02/2015, 08:07) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    ok so fraser wins round two hip hip
  • @george tush (26/02/2015, 09:16) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why would NDP need to knock down Fraser when Rajah is doing such a good job at it? LMAO!
  • concern (26/02/2015, 10:49) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    MR VANTERPOOL you sound like a fool talking about BIWATER you know the situation before you were elected and since you all keeping BIWATER stop this nonsense and get the water running in the country. Leave MR FRSAER that is
  • GoonSquad (26/02/2015, 11:14) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    i like the VIP war room bossie dem not playing this time..RTO aint there any more about he leaving things to time...big man fraser hitting um back with facts and fingers og ya me LOVE IT
  • The Judge (26/02/2015, 11:32) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Both sides are being deceitful. Fraser disrupted the East End sewage project with no justification; he single handedly forced through the Bi Water Agreement with much opposition from members of his own party for dubious reasons. On the other side, Mark's decision to totally ignore the main reason for Bi Water's involvement in our water/sewage projects is nothing less than being disingenuous. The fact of the matter is Government had a major sewage problem on its hands and did not have the resources to address the problem. A package was presented to Government which addressed both issues. Like the Airport project, much was done "behind the scene, "which got us into this undesirable situation.
    Apart from what has been said by both parties, what the public should be made aware of is, Bi Water's obligation to build a sewage treatment plant at Bird's Point, {Road Reef}; install the pressurized line between the pumping station by the round about and Bird Point. In addition the company is obliged to assist W/S in detecting leaks in the system. This work is covered in the Agreement at no cost to Government.
    Nothing today is free. What is conspicuously absent and is causing much concern is the lack of transparency. This has a long history and should be stopped!!.
  • @The Judge (26/02/2015, 13:20) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

    Free, BiWater is doing nothing for free. The cost of the treatment plant etc is already worked into that mess of a contract that was signed. You honestly think they would come here and do anything for free? You seem to dont understand we will be paying three times the amount of money for the same water we were paying less for. If the former government had done their study along with BiWater, they would have know the wells in Pari were dry and would not produce the water needed. Who the HELL signs a contract without know for sure what they would be getting. The now government did not have to give BiWater permission to cross the streets to the sea to get water because that was not the contracted deal and you all here bloging p.ss but Mark was holding up project. .

    • Yum Br (26/02/2015, 14:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

      You are obviously an NDP so nothing I say will convince you, for all you people do is think about possibilities and wish it into existance when it comes to this Biwater contract. The contract is what it is and nothing els. FREE is FREE, so go suck an egg. You are right, Mark didn't have to let Biwater cross the road, so why the hell he let them cross the road. He campaign telling the people that them was going to get rid of Biwater, that was he chance to get rid of them. He did not do it, and now he here talking p.ss.

      • @Yum Br (26/02/2015, 19:33) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        I am an NDP but most important I am a voter and tax payer. You already suck an egg thats why your brains freeze. NOTHING is free in this wold Big Man so I dont know who Frazer and his goonies think they fooling.
  • ehem (26/02/2015, 14:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lots in the pot that secret the cook will never share. I am ignorant that I must first admit. Ignorant to the agreement signed that is. Without this knowledge I will be speculating. Course this means grappling with the crumbs that I'm fed and trying to figure out what it all means. From this bits it seems that there is a suggestion that the outgoing party should have done all the pipes that were required for the eventual water. From the bit the ruling party is saying that they are not to be blamed for not putting the necessary infrastructure in place to ensure the water will reach all the people. Am I reading it correctly? A year and bit for all the pipes to be laid vs three years and counting? What is the cost to lay them now vs then? What would the over five million do in that regard?
  • The Judge (26/02/2015, 15:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ Yum Br. Settle down my brother settle down. Let us do the maths. Tell us, how much is Government being charged per 1000 gals. for water produced at Hodges Creek water plant ? How much was Government paying per 1000 gals. for water from the Baughers Bay plant and how much is Government paying Bi Water per 1000 gals.? Please read the last para. of my Email and then apologize for your submission.
    • Yum Br (27/02/2015, 08:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ The Judge. Government's contracted cost for water from Bar Bay plant is $17.00 per $1000 gallons which varies depending on inflation an a justments in electricity costs to Ocean Conversion, also the agreement which was signed in 2010 called for Ocean Conversion to build a reservoir at Hodges Creek which is yet to be built.
      The Baughers Bay plant water was at $24 plus per 1000 gallons (but the NDP Administration of 2003/7) cut it to $6.80 per 1000 gallons which was challenged on court and OC won, thus the $11 million government is currently paying out to them.
      For Biwater it is $12.90 per 100 gallons of POST TREATED WATER (drinking quality water), plus they already built their obligated 600 gallon reservior at Sabbath Hill, their water is charged at the reservior, so government not paying for any leaks between the plant and the reservior, they will be gaining also a new sewage pump station at the round about, a new (never before) Sewerage Treatment Plant for Road Town and surrounding areas, install the pipes between the pump station and treat plant, also erect the Sewerage Treatment Plant at Pariquita Bay for East End Long Look.

      I'll stop here and wait for more of your BS
      • Yum Br (27/02/2015, 16:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @The Judge. Just forgot to mention that the $12.90 per 1000 Gallons Biwater charging is for the first 12 years, after 12 years it is $6.90 per 1000 gallons, and after 17 years "GOVERNMENT GETS THE WATER PLANT FREE OF COST IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION".
      • The Judge (28/02/2015, 17:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ Yum Br. We are speaking the same language, what is your problem.
  • THE STORY (26/02/2015, 17:21) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Stop this foolishness BI WATER is laughing at how stupid Tortola Government acting.
  • Bushmaster (26/02/2015, 19:58) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Now seriously RA what we have here is a failure to take responsibility for the contract that you negotiated and signed! Vanterpool just cleaning up your mess
    • chups (27/02/2015, 09:36) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
      @ Bushmaster, And how is Mark cleaning up some mess? By doing nothing, or by frustrating Biwater? Tell us.
  • Me (27/02/2015, 02:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fraser answer Sounds good to me.


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