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No potable Water in Sea Cows Bay for months! Deliberate?

No potable Water in Sea Cows Bay for months! Deliberate? Photo: Internet Source
Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (Right) refuses to address the infrastructural needs of the public water supply despite the pleas of Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (Right) refuses to address the infrastructural needs of the public water supply despite the pleas of Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA. Photo: VINO/File
 The Hannah’s Estate locale, (pictured here) is among the areas to be afflicted by water shortages. Photo: Team of Reporters
The Hannah’s Estate locale, (pictured here) is among the areas to be afflicted by water shortages. Photo: Team of Reporters
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI - Even before Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed many pipes, reservoirs and pump stations, residents of Sea Cows Bay, along with many other areas on Tortola have suffered serious water shortages.

It was sometime in 2010 that the then Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government signed a water purchase agreement with the British company, Biwater to address the long standing water issues on Tortola. 

However, when the Government changed in 2011 the National Democratic Party (NDP) government frustrated the Biwater contract—many say because they had blatant conflict of interest issues and not keeping their infrastructure commitment—meaning, the contract could not be fully executed.

The people have suffered as a result, with lack of potable water.   

'Frustrated' by the NDP government, the Owens of Biwater, sold their contract to Seven Seas Water Company based in Florida, USA.

NDP means no water for the people

After claiming on the campaign trail that the Biwater contract was bad for the people, the Dr Smith Administration endorsed the sale and agreed to its terms and conditions, when Biwater contract was sold to Seven Seas.

Some eight to nine years later, the situation is the same, whereby the NDP Government and Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) refuse to address the infrastructural needs of the public water supply.  

It cannot be expected to be addressed right away, because the country is left broke by this government, according to the Opposition VIP.

So the people of Sea Cows Bay, and other areas on Tortola, can expect more months of lack of potable water, and hardship.

Hon Fraser voice but still to action

Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA, has been a voice calling for the matter to be addressed.  

Many residents for months have taken to Facebook, call-in shows and telephone calls to other elected representatives, about the serious and dire water situation, with many  residents in the British Overseas Territory asking, if the VI has become a  'Third World Country.'

Water and Sewerage Department officials have blamed the problem on lack of water pumps, not enough water to fill the Sea Cows Bay reservoir, lack of support and money from the Ministry of Communications and Works and a water rationing system.  

Recently, in the House of Assembly, Hon Vanterpool refused to respond to Hon. Fraser, as it relates to the lack of water.

It may take a change of government to address the water woes, in the meantime residents must brace to suffer with the lack of water.

 

12 Responses to “No potable Water in Sea Cows Bay for months! Deliberate?”

  • my yute (19/08/2018, 15:39) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    this is so sad a people suffering because of NDP and the investment club
  • RealTalk (19/08/2018, 16:22) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is upsetting everyday no water no water i am so done with voting it makes no sense electing as set of people that doesnt even care about you after you put them.in office .voting is a waste of time.none cares
  • tretretrete (19/08/2018, 17:28) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ahyo talking about months wat about years for we who live above tiger in green land, after a pump failure nearly 6years now,
  • King Sammy (19/08/2018, 19:54) Like (6) Dislike (13) Reply

    This problem has been there before NDP got into power

    • Just saying (20/08/2018, 08:47) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      That me be true, however they had years to correct the problem.
  • Political Observer (PO) (20/08/2018, 05:54) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It may be a mirage but it seems as if the D-1 and D-3 always get the short end of the stick. Is this a coincidence or residents of these districts are being penalized for exercising their conditrutiinal rights, ie, they vote for whom they want to represent them in the HOA? The NDP castigated the Biwater contract as a bad contract and used it as leverage in the 2011 and 2015 elections to get elected. However, it is apparent that it was not highly motivated to fix the supposed problems to improve the water supply system to bring potable water to long suffering residents. It seemed intent to help it failed at the expense of residents to make a point. The NDP honey moon in regards to the water issue is long over; it was over in November 2012. It can no longer blame VIP for this issue, for it has had 7 years to fix the problem. But it is either that it is incapable or its action is deliberate.


    Nonetheless, it is interesting that after the sale of Biwater to Seven Seas, a company that a billionaire has an interest in, Biwater is good. Not a sound from Biwater critics; hippocrites. It is like something from Animal Farm, mythical novel by George Orwell (Eric Blair). Stop the nonsense, stop the politics and bring water to the long suffering consumers. This is a quality of life and standard of living issue. People are sick and tired of being sick and tired of having to wash dem kin in ah bading pan; this is Third World . In fact, it is giving Third World a bad name.
  • To heck with it (20/08/2018, 07:15) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Third.World Country at it"s best. More to come..That is punishment for all the unjust that was done to those young girls in Sea Cows Bay years ago.
  • stop (20/08/2018, 08:48) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Please speak sensibly
    • @Stop (20/08/2018, 10:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      No BOBO, this has nothing to do with speaking sensibly. Maybe you are one of the ones who was involved, sat back and KiKI or related to one of the old heads that was involved.I remember everything. From far away I am going to get everyone that is still around in due time. This is not about doing bodily harm it is about doing the right thing by exposing certain people.
  • m &m (20/08/2018, 09:51) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    They should be in jail
  • biker (20/08/2018, 19:58) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    The noisy water trucks are sure busy these days in District 3!
    • Hmm (21/08/2018, 06:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      There driving by, but breeze can say he have green land hills on lock every and as I say every house he been coming to up to yesterday morning he woke me going up to Johnny black house with load of water,


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