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‘People do not adhere to our building code’ – EE/LL Resident

Though the turnout was not great, several concerns were raised at the East End/Long Look community meeting on May 29, 2014. Photo: VINO
The meeting was called and attended by Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool. Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn was also present. Photo: VINO
The meeting was called and attended by Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool. Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn was also present. Photo: VINO
Issues discussed surrounded drainage improvement, placing of pipelines, road resurfacing and the upgrading of the water mains. Photo: VINO
Issues discussed surrounded drainage improvement, placing of pipelines, road resurfacing and the upgrading of the water mains. Photo: VINO
EAST END/LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI – At a community meeting on May 29, 2014 in East End/Long Look, Tortola, one resident opined that one of the reasons for the limited ability of government to construct side-walks along roads is because persons are not sticking to the Territory’s building code.

“Even though they go and they are told not to build on all their land, they fill their land with houses and then they go and put their fence on the road,” said the senior resident. She noted that persons, if considerate would desist from this practice.

“You know, everybody wants to claim that this is theirs and nobody is concerned about the general public,” she said.

Another issue highlighted by the resident is that many persons are guilty of building houses other than what had been approved by the legitimate government body.

“Sometime you have people who get permission to build two storey houses here and they have four storey and then they have a set of people living in their houses and a set of sewage running in the road because the condition wasn’t built for this four storey house,” she alleged.

The concerned resident said that it is because the government has not been active in making persons remove and break down illegally constructed buildings that has caused the road and sewage situation to escalate to the state it is today.

“I think the government needs to get a little stiffer. I ain’t want you break down nobody nothing, but make it clear that when you come and you fill the paper and this is what you promise to do, that’s what I expect,” she said. “It’s time we stop being so greedy and be considerate about everybody else,” she added.

The meeting was called and attended by Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool to discuss issues of drainage improvement, placing of pipelines, road resurfacing and the upgrading of the water mains.

Members of the team that met with residents included Director of Water and Sewerage Mrs Perline Scatliffe-Leonard, Consultant Sam McIntosh, Civil Engineer in the Public Works Department Mr Joshua Silwimba among others. Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn was also present.

13 Responses to “‘People do not adhere to our building code’ – EE/LL Resident”

  • Yes (02/06/2014, 08:15) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    more blah blah blah NDP must go!
  • wize up (02/06/2014, 08:20) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    When it comes to the locals, they must comply with all the “codes” while “others” can come to the BVI and destroy our sea-beds and other natural environments(having no regard for our building codes, some of them are even granted permission by our "government" to violate the BVI “codes”)

    • Actually (02/06/2014, 10:00) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      While codes try to be implemented, Government itself overrides those regulations to award certain people. They don't take codes seriously themselves. Most people from "away" are used to regulations (as they are recycling) and build accordingly. Those who throw up housing should be fined and regulations should be enforced. But it seems cousins, uncles, brothers get away with some of this bad practice. We need more inspectors because as the woman said, most are out for themselves and don't understand they contribute to the problem by doing more than what infrastructure can accommodate. ( like illegal additions to a small house to house workers??)
      • wize up (02/06/2014, 17:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        to Actually: just a side-bar; a number of people from “away” comes to the BVI and block “our” access to “OUR” beaches & the Government does nothing about such infringements...just saying !!!!!
  • hog city (02/06/2014, 08:35) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    It seems like the government only flexes it muscles in the 3rd district. They took advantage of the poor man in duff bottom while it had a woman building a set of illegal buildings in roadtown.
    • Ha! (02/06/2014, 11:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don't worry, the Marina is next. You will hear!
    • @hogcity (02/06/2014, 15:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      the residents in duff bottom could not pass to go to their homes (HIS HOUSE WAS IN THE ROAD), they made a complaint and harassed the then VIP govt to do something. this govt allowed the illegal buildings in road town, before your comment get the facts straight. t&c planning need to know, make a complaint. you losers complain about everything and when it is time for action you do nothing.
  • Landlord (02/06/2014, 08:57) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with the lady, this is where PWD and Town and Country sleeping big time.
  • qc (02/06/2014, 09:47) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    same set of NDP and civil service cow birds
  • facts man (02/06/2014, 10:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The rules are for who dem for
  • xxxxxxxx (02/06/2014, 11:04) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some people just think they can do what they want in the BVI because of last name
  • car jack (02/06/2014, 14:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need more enforcement


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