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New sewerage pumps to cost Works Ministry over $300K

- Contract to be inked soon to replace three pumps
Hon. Vanterpool. Photo: VINO
Sewerage has been plaguing residents and businesses for years. Photo: VINO
Sewerage has been plaguing residents and businesses for years. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – A contract for the replacement of three sewerage pumps will be inked shortly with the pumps estimated to cost $300,000, disclosed Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Mark Vanterpool.

“There is another agreement that we are putting in place now to replace the pumps that are at the main pumping station, as well as, the ones at the Cultural Centre and Purcell. These are the three main ones that are causing the overflow by the Immigration Department. We are going to issue a contract shortly to replace those pumps with new ones,” he said in an interview with Virgin Islands News Online recently.

From the day it is signed, Hon. Vanterpool anticipates the project will take about 90 days to be completed.

One of the companies his Ministry is working with is the United States based Smith & Loveless Inc., which will be working closely with the local company to execute the job.

“Individuals from Smith & Loveless are expected to arrive in the BVI by the end of the month to lend their expertise and evaluate the pumps,” the Minister said. “And CBE will have overall management/supervision of the project.”

Meanwhile, 10 local contractors have been hired by the Ministry for Communications and Works to begin phase one of the Road Town sewerage project with the contracts valuing $866,681.

At the contract signing on Friday February 3, 2012 at the Ministry’s conference room, the subject Minister told reporters that this phase encompasses the construction of manholes and laying of pipes from FirstBank to Vanterpool’s Pharmacy.

In giving a breakdown of the funds allocated towards the project, Hon. Vanterpool stated, “$588,000 are for the contractors, the purchase orders cost $128,908 and the agreements for the purchase orders amount to $149,088.”

“The procurement for the materials will be imported and will be here in another week’s time,” Hon. Vanterpool said.

He further added that the monies for the project came from a pre-approved loan that was borrowed from Banco Popular.

6 Responses to “New sewerage pumps to cost Works Ministry over $300K”

  • Shara Parlin (27/02/2012, 07:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am confused…I taught biwater was taking care of this problem when they start the sewerage project…what is going on now with our tax dollars????? This matter needs to be investigated.
    • tax payer (27/02/2012, 09:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Biwater will build a new pump station by the end of the year... But Gov wants to spend our money NOW to do a temporary work before... probably they don't know what to do with all the money they got...
      • tell the truth (27/02/2012, 11:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Goodness gracious but Doc Smith said the VIP left we broke so where dem getting all tis money to spend if we broke??? Another conn by the NDP is on yall
        • Not2Sure (27/02/2012, 13:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Not sure I understand: the pumps cost $300,000 and local petty contracts have been signed for $866,681. That is nearly $1.2 million in total! What are all those petty contracts for? Does labour really cost three times as much as the parts they install? Spending money like rain...
          • Mack69 (27/02/2012, 16:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            You are so stupid and ignorant. Next time please get the facts staight before you go blowing your horn.
  • E. Leonard (28/02/2012, 01:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have the pumps that are currently in operations working? Is BI-Water schedule to construct a new pump station at the end of the year? If the answer to the questions are yes, why can't government negotiate with BI-Water to modify their contract and front load this part of the contract and avoid the over $300K additional cost to the tax payer. Further, does the upgraded system include a pump station and a treatment plant? We need to take advantage of this opportunity and construct a treatment plant with the capacity to handle the service area up to complete build out. Collecting and discharging untreated sewerage into the sea causes pollution. The pollution negatively affects the beneficial uses of the sea, affecting swimming, fishing, and other contact recreation. Specificallly, polluted waters affect the fishing. Small fish can feed on the pollutants and in turn be eaten by larger fish and so on.......... The waters surrounding untreated sewerage discharge areas should be tested periodically to determine if they are safe for swimming, and if fish and other sea food are safe for consumption. Further, our waters are a big draw for tourism. As such we need to make every effort to ensure that they are healthy and safe for swimming, diving, snorkeling, fishing, skiing, yachting, and other contact recreation. Furthermore, we should maintain and protect the health of our precious resource for our own use and enjoyment. Invariably, when natural resources are impaired, the tourists move on and residents are left holding the bag. Nonetheless, the technology is available to treat sewerage and lessen the polluting effect. In fact effluent from treatment plants are used for watering golf courses, lawns and other uses. The technology is improving and the uses of treated water is also expanding. Lets take the action and make the investment to protect the health of Virgin Islanders, protect the health of a vital resources, sustain economic pillars, and protect our overall well-being. .


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