The newly constructed Dog Hole Jetty facility on Jost van Dyke. Photo: Team of Reporters

Opposition Legislator, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) is pleased that the sister island of Jost van Dyke (JVD) has finally benefitted from a brand-new Dog Hole Jetty port facility. Photo: GIS/Facebook

Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Sharie B. de Castro said residents of the island will also be able to pay their electricity and other bills at the building and it will house facilities for the BVI Tourist Board aimed at creating new tourist experiences. Photo: GIS/Facebook

The Legislator was at the time speaking during the opening ceremony of the Dog Hole Jetty facility on Monday, December 21, 2020, where he revealed that the construction of the facility has been one of his ‘teething pains’ long before the 2017 hurricanes struck the territory and hammered the facility.

“We were reduced on the island of JVD to a tent that depending on how much rain, or how much wind blew, was destroyed. But the island continued to produce and do its fair share of bringing in tourists and guests and revenue for the territory,” he said.

Promise delivered – Hon Turnbull

“I am not one to do anything other than to be real, and the Premier said by December of 2020 this building will be built and it is December of 2020 and this building has been built,” Hon Turnbull underscored. 

While expressing his gratitude to this administration for keeping their word, he said the people of JVD, 'deserve' the facility and the benefits it will bring. 

“They deserve this, they deserve better than this, they deserve the opportunities to not only have guests coming but even when locals and residents go and traverse the island, they deserve a port that is fitting for them to exit and enter.”

Move-in date set mid-January 2021

Meanwhile, Chairman of the BVI Ports Authority, Mr Kelvin E. Hodge who delivered the welcome remarks said that by January 15, 2021, the facility will be the move-in ready for all agencies that will be housed in the building.

He said this new ferry terminal is equipped with everything necessary for Customs and Immigration Services with a specification of 2,538 square foot of space which includes the main arrival hall for Jost van Dyke and would provide office space for some government services.

Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Sharie B. de Castro said residents of the island will also be able to pay their electricity and other bills at the building and it will house facilities for the BVI Tourist Board aimed at creating new tourist experiences.

In addition, persons with disabilities would be able to easily access the new facility.