More public/private partnerships needed for green spaces - Hon Penn
Hon Penn was at the time speaking at the December 13, 2019, budget debates of the Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) when highlighting a number of strategies currently being implemented and existing facilities in need of repairs.
'I'm being accosted daily now about green spaces, everybody is impressed with the work being done at the waterfront... as you pass Baughers Bay going towards town, everybody is excited to see what is going to materialise there," Hon Penn told the House.
He said the whole idea of green spaces is something that is needed in the territory, urging Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) to develop more initiatives including fixing damaged facilities.
More Green spaces needed - Hon Penn
Noting that the budget was lacking funding for recreational parks across the territory, Hon Penn reiterated his call for more green spaces in the Virgin Islands (VI) specifically for people to play in with their children and for existing facilities to be repaired following the Hurricanes of 2007.
This he said, will "ensure that the people of the community have a good and safe place to play with their children and kids and there need to be some upgrades to the playground equipment as well."
According to Hon Penn, "That's something that I think we need to partner on, something that I think we need to move forward with, to ensure that it maximises the best possible benefits to the people of our community."
14 Responses to “More public/private partnerships needed for green spaces - Hon Penn”
Undoubtedly, Public Private Venture (PPV) or Public Private Partnership (PPP) is a source for the public sector to fund and meet projects/needs. However, it must be a Win-Win for both parties——public and private. For example, a sample PPP project could be the improvement of both the air and land sides of TBLIA. For funding the TBLIA upgrades, the private entity may get to operate the airport (collecting most of the revenues) for 20-25 years; the territory will get an upgraded airport. Clearly, there will be an opportunity cost. In regards to Hon Malone’s proposal for a PPP for green spaces, a Win-Win agreement still has to be developed, discussed and decided. Will the private sector be permitted to improve national parks and operate them for a number of years, ie, The Baths on VG? Ok. The Baths was just thrown out as an example for discussion.
always been and will always be the foundation and bedrock of our existence.