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'Kudos' to Minister for Communications & Works Hon Vanterpool on road works

December 11th, 2017 | Tags:
Motorists would have been pleasantly surprised to see the usually pothole filled road at Prospect Reef/Slaney Point as 'smooth as a baby's bottom' . Photo: VINO
The Capoon's Bay road on the western side of Tortola is another road that needs urgent fixing but has received the attention of the Minister for Communications and Works. Photo: Team of Reporters
The Capoon's Bay road on the western side of Tortola is another road that needs urgent fixing but has received the attention of the Minister for Communications and Works. Photo: Team of Reporters
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) (4th from left, white shirt) listening to residents during his visit to the First District on Sunday, December 10, 2017. Right is First District Representative and Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie. Photo: Team of Reporters
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) (4th from left, white shirt) listening to residents during his visit to the First District on Sunday, December 10, 2017. Right is First District Representative and Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands’ public, social network and the local media can be harsh and critical and most often report more of the negative realities.

The current administration, led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), has come in for some harsh criticism from local and international media following hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Well, knowing Virgin Islands News Online’s (VINO) stellar reputation for being fair, objective and balanced, we believe that the Communications and Works Minister, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), deserves some credit for recently fixing some roads on Tortola.

Some of the worst roads with pot holes big as a swimming pool, have been repaired some months after hurricanes Irma and Maria. Roads in Paraquita Bay, Carrot Bay, Little Apple Bay, East End and Road Town among others, are now drivable and, as one motorist described some of them, “smooth as a baby’s bottom.”

The pot hole dodging days

The road from the Governor’s residence in Road Town to the Prospect Reef roundabout, for example has been restored and the public is pleased. Remember the days of dodging the gigantic pot holes in the area of Tortola Auto Group (TAG)?

While we all admit that there is still lots of work to be done on the roads, including that of the sister islands, it is a good start and the Minister for Communications and Works, along with the other supporting casts, must be given some credit.

Works are still ongoing in many areas that includes laying asphalt and filling pot holes.

Maybe once again we can call Honourable Vanterpool the ‘action man.’ Job well done Mr Minister, as you are off to a good start on the rehabilitation of the roads.

20 Responses to “'Kudos' to Minister for Communications & Works Hon Vanterpool on road works”

  • NICK (11/12/2017, 16:00) Like (35) Dislike (18) Reply
    It took three month to fix the dam roads so I will not give any credits to nobody.they are just doing their job and they are well paid to do it.
    • @ Nick. At lease Mark doing his (11/12/2017, 17:48) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
      If we were getting half the effort from The Labour Minister that we are getting from Mark we would have been happier. I am one of the thousands thay lost our Jobs and not a word of hope or comfort from the labour Minister.. Mark maybe a little slow but he getting things done. Better later than never. The Labour Minister is missing doing Naada.
      • Ha Ha (11/12/2017, 21:47) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
        There IS nothing slow about Mark. Just because a person looks laid Back and quiet mean they are slow.Thèse are the smart ones.
    • Busy driver (12/12/2017, 16:29) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Nick is right, 3 months!!! And yet so many of the roadways are still very much clogged with mini-landslides, boulders and debris, not to mention the left over wires from fallen power and phone lines. This turns two-lane roads into one-lane roads... With no street lighting this is far from safe. I am very much disappointed with the government's response to cleaning up after nearly 3 months from hurricane Maria.
    • Think again (13/12/2017, 11:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Roads could not be fixed during those long torrents of rain. Let us be fair to the MCW
  • wize up (11/12/2017, 16:28) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    only because he fix the roads in hog city
  • ... (11/12/2017, 16:59) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Please vino after months of pressure
  • Mark is working (11/12/2017, 17:36) Like (20) Dislike (11) Reply
    Criticism is necessary when neccessary is necessary. I too want to say much Kudos to Mark, Bull and the public work crew. They are trying hard. They R working. Theh did a very good Job on that bad bad road from the Governor to Crandals. Its very Nice now Lets just say good Job guys. Show our appreciation..
  • 123 (11/12/2017, 18:11) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    ok vino I got you at least you are objective. I agree big ups to Mark and the PWD crew.
  • I agree (11/12/2017, 18:33) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Sometime i'll admit i dont always agrée with Mark but, I hâve to give him crédit.
  • Yoland man (11/12/2017, 20:16) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply

    Th first district people should be honoured because we in the fourth district haven't seen or heard from him after one meeting a month after Irma at the band stand and at the meeting he only told us l*es for the last time .No representation from Mark for last 8 + years ,he have got to go..............

  • You think so ? (11/12/2017, 21:37) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    @Yoland man, Mark IS not going anywhere. It IS obvious hé did not get to your District as yet and hé Will. No wonder So many people hère looks So much older than their actual âge or they start developing grey hair at a rapid rate. They stress and worry to darn much.You did what You had to do dealing with the messed up roads for 3 months now they are getting fixed and you are complaining.
  • smh (11/12/2017, 23:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't know about as smooth as a baby's bottom but I'm grateful that for what was paved. Although it will wash away and get swimming pool size pot holes with the next set of rain. Without proper drainage the roads will not last. And as long as those side roads coming from the hillsides are gushing water unto the main roads on the flat, they will just eat up again. Oh well...
  • voter (12/12/2017, 02:08) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Good job for once ndp but sorry we still voting you all backside out
  • WiseUP (12/12/2017, 03:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    O please no self praise this is not the time for it
  • Socrates (12/12/2017, 04:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is a smooth road necessarily a well-constructed road? Is a road as smooth as a baby’s bottom always a good road? Is this just a paved job over a road that needs to be reconstructed? What is the true fix for a failed road? Is it not a reconstruction? Is this just a temporary relief of pot hole dodging? Does not the road programme needs a complete revamping? Is poor drainage a major contributor to premature road failure? How will this repair fare in the next heavy rain? Is the life span of roads too short and costs too much? Should not residents expect a greater return on their investment? How do the quality of our roads compare to roads in other regional countries? Should the BVI collaborate with other regional countries on road building techniques? Should it not import training for road builders? How do other hilly terrain construct their roads? How much do poor roads cost motorists annually?
    • smh (12/12/2017, 11:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you Socrates. We share the same thoughts. That stretch of road has been paved several times over the years with zero adjustments.
  • give thanks (12/12/2017, 05:36) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    as long there is life there is hope if you all had die during or after the stops this couldn't have been done.Stop been ungrateful and stop the bickering things are gonna be better one day. No one knows what the future holds there are more hurricanes ,earthquakes etc to come.tek little a.d live long in Jesus mighty name
  • egg face (12/12/2017, 11:29) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    give the man his flowers while he is living


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