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Premier Smith mum on potential Biwater buyers

-said 'we' met with an interested group ‘several weeks ago'
Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith has confirmed that there have been talks between local Biwater and a group of persons with a view to negotiating the purchase of the company. Photo: VINO/File
Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith. Photo: VINO/File
Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith. Photo: VINO/File
Over the years of the last National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, the issue of Biwater has been a hot button topic, escalating along the political campaign trail a few weeks ago. The former Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration has been accused of saddling the Biwater contract like an albatross around the necks of the people of territory. And in response the VIP has hit back saying that the NDP Government had enough time from late 2011 to make the necessary investment to get Biwater to deliver water to the people of the territory as per agreement. Image: Internet source
Over the years of the last National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, the issue of Biwater has been a hot button topic, escalating along the political campaign trail a few weeks ago. The former Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration has been accused of saddling the Biwater contract like an albatross around the necks of the people of territory. And in response the VIP has hit back saying that the NDP Government had enough time from late 2011 to make the necessary investment to get Biwater to deliver water to the people of the territory as per agreement. Image: Internet source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith has confirmed that there have been talks between Biwater and a group of persons with a view to negotiating a sale of the company.

This the Premier disclosed at his press conference held in the Central Administration Complex yesterday July 16, 2015.

“At one point we did meet with one group of people who were interested…but I can’t tell you their names at the moment,” he said.

Asked whether the negotiations were still ongoing he said that he has not had any reports from the people as to whether they were still ongoing, but he confirmed that meeting did take place “several weeks ago.”

He said that the company, which he also confirmed not to be a local company, had shown interest in acquiring the local Biwater company.

Efforts to reach Richard F. Smith, Biwater’s Project Manager for a comment on the negotiations which allegedly took place proved futile.

Over the years of the last National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, the issue of Biwater has been a hot button topic, escalating along the political campaign trail a few weeks ago. The former Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration has been accused of saddling the Biwater contract like an albatross around the necks of the people of territory.

And in response the VIP has hit back saying that the NDP Government had enough time from late 2011 to make the necessary investment to get Biwater to deliver water to the people of the territory as per agreement.

“Blaming the VIP for not installing and upgrading the piping before construction of the Biwater plant began in 2011, and a full 4 years before water was first produced, is like asking someone to buy furniture for a house before construction starts, and is downright ludicrous. This is especially when considering that at the time our government was saddled with a Peebles Hospital Project costing $100 million, that had a $64 million contract and only $35 million in financing, compliments of the previous NDP Government,” said Honourable Fraser in a statement to the media in April this year.

28 Responses to “Premier Smith mum on potential Biwater buyers”

  • 911 (17/07/2015, 16:34) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The ndp has always hated biwater
    • HMMM (20/07/2015, 18:38) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      who wouldn't money was taken out of local mouths an we are force to pay a bill wether we get water or not an pay electricity bill company use strupes
  • cay (17/07/2015, 18:19) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Look how the ndp chase the biwater out the country smh
  • wize up (17/07/2015, 18:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hello !!!!!
    • Tell u so (17/07/2015, 19:13) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      They bad talk Biwater they bad talk Frazer and still turnaround And buy it out and our people fall for the trash that they were saying how Biwater bruk Down then he came back and apolojoice because they now owns it but if we the people continue on the path that we are going we will always be a stepping stone for these people because it seems as though we can't think for our selves
  • qc (17/07/2015, 18:33) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
    Wait till you guys hear which of the rich white friends that bought it.
    • Notonmywatch (18/07/2015, 00:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      OOOHHHH YYYEEEAAAHH! Smart and ironic move. Who's laughing at who. Dear God help us.
  • Yes (17/07/2015, 18:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Blessing in disguise
    • S.R. (18/07/2015, 12:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why? Because you do not like Bi-Water? Now the money (that still has to flow) will go into hands of Millionares Club and look at who are members and hidden associate members!!!
  • David (17/07/2015, 19:13) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    What from. Premier smith lies he knows one of their rich friend Mr Bronson who own 80% of the company that buy out biwater seven seas is now owner look up seven seas u find the ans
  • concerned citizen (17/07/2015, 19:58) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Interesting! Very Interest! .............. They (The NDP Administration) ask for four more to "continue and finish" what they started. They ask and the people complied. Now they are only tidying up loose ends.

    We will LISTEN to SEE and WATCH TO HEAR! Ting te Talk.
  • Scary Mary (17/07/2015, 20:09) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    let me see if mark and dem will still tell tails about biwater once the ownership chnages
  • Mission man (17/07/2015, 20:54) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Branson is the man. Why Doc don't just come out and say?
  • liberal (17/07/2015, 21:03) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    I think this is so wrong to sale what should be for the people in a few years. Our people needs to take a stand and stop this from being both. Then the country and it's people will be once again under the BVI Investment Club, Ocean Conversation and the NDP itself will be owners of the plant. People stop, look and think about the country's future..
  • voter (17/07/2015, 21:33) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bran's son and investment club aka NDP will pick up the local shareholding. More cheese for the rat them
    • chad (19/07/2015, 19:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The rat them getting fat off the land while they sell the people them back into economic slavery. Your votes working for you, NOT!
  • ABC (17/07/2015, 22:03) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    So his wind farm will be erected on National Park Trust land and now he will control our water supply with the blessings of the Premier. What's next, Electricity and the Airport.
    • @ABC (18/07/2015, 11:56) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's correct... He has the water and sewerage and will soon get the wind farm to control electricity. The question to ask is: Has this Administration "sold" out this country once again for personal gain and in the future regardless of which party gets in power, these good ole boys will control every aspect of our lives. A wonder they have not gone after the National Bank....or will that be their next move!!!
  • Whoknowknow (18/07/2015, 00:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seven Seas or AquaVenture or whatever shell company of the day WATER PARK on Prickley Pear. But we don't need to tell the people everything. LOL you people need locking up.
  • Albatross (18/07/2015, 01:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Would I buy an Albatross around the Government neck? Seven Seas or Consolidated Waters whick Ocean Conversion is part of might buy it.
  • watch n see (18/07/2015, 03:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I can bet anyone of you, at the end of it all. It ends up in the hands of investment club. They are playing us for fools.
  • Iatolaha (18/07/2015, 08:13) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    What I'm reading is really sad and I'm hoping it's not true. If there is a genuine interest in a buyer for the company the Government should make it known and invite local interested party/s to make their interest known as from here moving forward it should be local interest and not outside especially those who have all they would ever need. Further they should be made to pay royalties for our water resource that is the only ingredient for the millions they will make. We are constantly being sold out by a government whose bread is now buttered on three sides. SAD
  • political snitch (18/07/2015, 08:59) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am willing to bet that the good ole boyz will end up with shares, any takers?
  • NSA (18/07/2015, 21:17) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

    It is B...son through a holding company, MGH Global so no biggie. It's business. You want to have your own country you own the Government by financing them and you buy out resources like public utilities, water, communications, electricity then get control,of the banking system by putting key soldiers to regulate the system. But islands in an area and other key properties if one has to to take control and keep the undesirables out. Not saying he doing that, lalalala, but folks watch closely how this is playing out.

    • Alot (19/07/2015, 09:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is what the government should buy. The water is just as essential as electricity and it will be foolish to miss this opportunity to start having control of all water supply.
  • Fill in the Rest (20/07/2015, 19:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What they won't tell you is that these interested parties (Party) are the shhh Invest_ _ _ _ C_ _ _


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