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Overseas linemen feeling the VI love & appreciation

- 44 linemen from 7 countries helping BVIEC in restoration efforts
LUCELEC team from St Lucia in action in Sea Cows Bay, West End. Photo: VINO
Members of the VINLEC team from St Vincent assisting with power restoration in Greenland East End. Photo: VINO
Members of the VINLEC team from St Vincent assisting with power restoration in Greenland East End. Photo: VINO
Members of the Cayman Islands team in action. Photo: VINO
Members of the Cayman Islands team in action. Photo: VINO
BEL team from Belize is currently working in Virgin Gorda to restore power to the residents. Photo: Provided
BEL team from Belize is currently working in Virgin Gorda to restore power to the residents. Photo: Provided
GRENLEC team from Grenada is currently working in Anegada to restore power. Photo: Provided
GRENLEC team from Grenada is currently working in Anegada to restore power. Photo: Provided
BELCO team from Bermuda seen working in Gene Hill area on Saturday October 21, 2017. Photo: VINO
BELCO team from Bermuda seen working in Gene Hill area on Saturday October 21, 2017. Photo: VINO
CUC team from Cayman Islands seen in action in Greenland, East End on Saturday October 21, 2017. Photo: VINO
CUC team from Cayman Islands seen in action in Greenland, East End on Saturday October 21, 2017. Photo: VINO
ELMAR team from Aruba in action. Photo: VINO
ELMAR team from Aruba in action. Photo: VINO
VINLEC team from St Vincent preparing to put up a pole. Photo: VINO
VINLEC team from St Vincent preparing to put up a pole. Photo: VINO
Member of the Aruba team in action. Photo: VINO
Member of the Aruba team in action. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Following the passage of the monstrous Category 5 Hurricane Irma that left no stone unturned and the territory in a state of total darkness, 44 linemen from seven different countries arrived to assist the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) with power restoration.

The groups of linemen that came to assist the territory in its restoration efforts include: GRENLEC from Grenada; BEL from Belize; VINLEC from St Vincent; LUCELEC from St Lucia; CUC from Cayman Islands; BELCO from Bermuda and ELMAR from Aruba.

In an exclusive interview and tour of the linemen in action with General Manager of BVIEC, Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham, the teams all shared the same sentiments that they are grateful for the appreciation in which they have been receiving from the locals.

"We have been working days after days"- Edgard R. Geerman

Speaking exclusively with Edgard R. Geerman, Supervisor of the ELMAR team from Aruba who arrived in the territory on September 29, 2017, he said they are happy to assist and the locals are friendly.

"We are glad to help the people here. We have been working days after days and my team are working hard," said Mr Geerman.

He disclosed that the locals would pass his team on the road and show their appreciation by saying thank you and even offer them water and juices.

Meanwhile, Mr Stevon T. Trott, lineman from BELCO Bermuda who landed on September 28, 2017, expressed that working alongside BVIEC has been a "unique and great experience", adding that the locals are very "warm and welcoming".

The majority of the teams have been in the territory for a month and some of the teams even extended their time to assist with more restoration.

The team from CUC Cayman Islands arrived in the territory on October 10, 2017 and has been working in the area of Greenland, East End.

In an invited comment, Mr Geraude J. Holness, Supervisor of CUC expressed that working to restore electricity on the island has been "challenging but a rewarding experience".

"We always look forward to helping the people to get back to some normalcy in their lives and electricity plays a big part of that," while noting that they have received cold beverages from the locals who got power restored to them.

Mr Holness explained that the challenge arise because of the terrain and that trying to salvage equipment takes time rather than having new equipment which would allow them to move at a faster pace.

"Never seen such a devastation"- Michael R. Ambrose

The St Lucia team LUCELEC arrived in the Virgin Islands (VI) on September 24, 2017.

Mr Michael R. Ambrose, Supervisor of LUCELEC St Lucia, revealed to our news reporter that this is his second restoration experience but this is the worse he has ever seen, adding that his team got a two week extension in order to further assist.

"We are happy to be here to assist and we are all welcoming the experience while learning more. Based on my past experience, I have never seen such a devastation such as this," said Mr Ambrose.

The St Lucia team supervisor conveyed that the locals would stop and give his team compliments on the work that they have been doing.

"...it's like a home away from home"- Les H. Malcolm

"It has been a good experience and its the worse I've ever seen for a hurricane," said Les H. Malcolm, supervisor from VINLEC St Vincent who landed in the territory on October 10, 2017.

Mr Malcolm admitted that "it's like a home away from home" because he has encountered numerous St Vincent nationals on the island.

"The locals here have showed us a lot of appreciation for the work that we have been doing and I would like to tell them to keep holding on," said the St Vincent supervisor.

Currently, the team from GRENLEC Grenada who arrived in the VI on October 9, 2017 is assisting with power restoration on Anegada, while BEL from Belize is working in Virgin Gorda. They arrived in the territory on September 26, 2017.

Speaking with Leroy A. E. Abraham, General Manager of BVIEC, he said, "I am very pleased that we have 44 linemen from seven different countries on the ground assisting us in rebuilding our grid and returning all of our lives to normal. I am very appreciative to all those countries."

22 Responses to “Overseas linemen feeling the VI love & appreciation”

  • pat (23/10/2017, 16:22) Like (30) Dislike (2) Reply
    just keep Mark away from talking foolishness. Good job to all the BVI needs you
  • unknown (23/10/2017, 16:43) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    God Bless You Guys... Thank You for your hard work. ONE LOVE ONE BVI. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS
  • RelevantLastName (23/10/2017, 17:15) Like (1) Dislike (77) Reply
    Get rid of them after they finish. Thanks for the help but don't get too confortable.
    • *Hmm (24/10/2017, 12:01) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      Look at this MF%$!+# ungrateful SOB....that's the first thought that really pop in your mind? These men leave their homes & families to come here & help our guys with the rebuilding process & look the piss you here posting. You for real? The more hands on deck the quicker the country start to get on track. I haven't come in contact with any of those guys (that I know of) but I would gladly shake their hands, offer a drink even a meal or say thanks for all the help because lord knows we need it.

      Your a$$ don't deserve an ounce of power back to your home if u even have one. Furthermore Irma had need to evacuate u out of here permanently. Damn!
  • St. lucian (23/10/2017, 17:46) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    It's lovely to see all the Caribbean islands coming together to help in the recovery of the BVI. I applaud our prime minister of St Lucia, Mr. Allan Chastanet for contributing towards the effect. The BVI has been home to many St.Lucian. It's now our time to give back. We are stronger together. #OneCaribbean#strongertogether.
  • Ghost (23/10/2017, 18:24) Like (29) Dislike (2) Reply
    To that person that said "get rid of them don't get too comfortable".. u must be one stupid person.. a fool In fact.. instead of u being thankful u just being STUPID..intelligent doesn't grow in everyone's garden n u just proved that.. comments like yours makes me cringe at how truly ignorant one can be..
  • Great Guys (23/10/2017, 19:33) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    These are great Guys.. Quite q few of them express interest in staying. Hope They are considered... We need the help. Good help. Hold some of them..
  • 1 (23/10/2017, 19:49) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Caribbean strong
  • my 2 cents (23/10/2017, 20:03) Like (28) Dislike (7) Reply
    Hope these born here have a better appreciation for the island people for i have not seen any from usa or england who you all love helping restore anything
  • JayEm (23/10/2017, 21:14) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Awesome. Be safe out there guyz!
  • ABC (23/10/2017, 21:56) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

    This is good stuff vino
  • lollol (23/10/2017, 22:58) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dem getting bvi cat too lol
    • @lollol. married (24/10/2017, 08:05) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      They not only getting BVI Meow.. A Few will get married and stick around.. They love the BVI..
    • @lollol (24/10/2017, 12:08) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      the quality cannot be denied
  • Goodjob!!!!!. (24/10/2017, 06:43) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    But be warned!!!!!! once they use u you better catch LIAT or whatever they will tell and get out. This hot love does get cold fast
  • rattie (24/10/2017, 07:29) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    I must say credit must also be given to Leroy and his team for a job well done despite the lack of resources
  • @ rattie (24/10/2017, 13:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vanterpool done say there are no lack of resources so wheel and come again
  • real pat (24/10/2017, 22:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the BVI is pulling itself together big time with a great team effort from around the Caribbean. I am also looking forward to wires up high and not drooping so they get caught on trucks. Thank you for making them safe!
  • anegada (26/10/2017, 23:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks guys for a job well done... Anegada Good to go!!!


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