Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL), inset, has said the solid waste incinerator at Pockwood Pond will be back in operation after the holidays. Photo: VINO/GIS

The incinerator at Pockwood Pond, Tortola, has been out of operation since a fire destroyed portions of the incinerator, including the control panel, on November 26, 2018. Photo: VINO/File

According to Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL), right, the new control panel for the Pockwood Pond incinerator has already been installed. Photo: GIS

Smoke from a landfill fire at Pockwood Pond on June 2, 2019. Photo: Facebook

The incinerator has been out of operation since a fire destroyed portions of the facility, including the control panel, on November 26, 2018.

Since then landfill fires- some of major proportions- have been frequent, causing persons to raise health concerns. There have been cases where persons have had to temporarily relocate due to the amount of smoke from landfill fires.

Incinerator nearing final stage of repairs

In a statement during the Fourth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday, December 17, 2019, Hon Malone disclosed that a new control panel has been manufactured by Consutech Systems LLc, shipped and transported to the site, and installed.

Hon Malone added that the final electrical connections are now in progress by Skelton Electrics Limited, despite the very sad and untimely demise of the company’s previous owner, Mr Oliver Skelton.

“The final stage of the process entails testing and commissioning by a Consutech technician, and we intend to bring the incinerator unit back into operation after the holiday season.”

Thanks for your ‘forbearance’- Hon Malone

Hon Malone also took the opportunity to express his appreciation to the “hardworking and dedicated team at the Department of Waste Management, particularly those officers stationed at the Pockwood Pond dumpsite, that have been toiling under extremely challenging circumstances since the passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the unfortunate fire that took the incinerator off-line since November 2018.”

The Health Minister was also grateful to the residents of Pockwood Pond and surrounding communities for their “forbearance” in the face of the discomfort associated with spontaneous dumpsite flare-ups in recent months, “despite our best endeavours to prevent them and to relieve the effects of smoke.

“Our efforts in this regard were ably supported by Mr Miguel Smith, a former manager of the incinerator plant, and several heavy equipment operators and other contractors to whom we also owe a debt of gratitude.”

Hon Malone said even as this vexing issue is being addressed, the Ministry of Health and Social Development continues its quest to overhaul the Territory’s waste management systems in line with the Government’s vision for a greener, cleaner and healthier Virgin Islands.

“We therefore look forward to engaging with the community to receive input on the draft Waste Management Strategy in January 2020.”