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‘Time frame for Power in all areas can't be given'- Leroy A. E. Abraham

-The General Manager of the Corporation announced power restored in some parts of Road Town, the capital city
BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) team in Virgin Gorda signifying that they now have power on Virgin Gorda to start providing service to customers. Photo: Team of Reporters
BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) team working tirelessly to restore power in Virgin Gorda. Photo: Team of Reporters
BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) team working tirelessly to restore power in Virgin Gorda. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - While the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) continue to work almost around the clock to restore electricity to homes, and businesses following Category 5 Hurricane Irma that destroyed the Virgin Islands (VI) leaving the entire Territory without power supply, the public has a long wait.

General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation, Mr. Leroy A. E. Abraham told our newsroom that he cannot give a time frame as to when the entire Territory will have full power back as it depends on many factors such as “when all resources are procured which include money, material and man power..”

Power restored to some small areas of the capital Road Town

However, the General Manager was able to report that power has been restored to some small pockets in Road Town only. These include, according to Abraham “most of the financial and commercial areas of Road Town such as Rite Way Food Markets, Financial Services Commission, Funeral Homes and the Hospital”.

The challenge remain that “all buildings had to be re-inspected electrically, as a result of the damage sustained to buildings” he told our newsroom.

Sister Islands

On the Sister Island of  Virgin Gorda, Mr. Abraham who has been at the helm of the State owned Power company for some 17 years reported that the Corporation Substation located in the Capital, Valley now has power as it’s a start “where all power on Virgin Gorda emanate from.”

He said the next steps are to energization of the water plant on Virgin Gorda and rebuilding to key essential services.

The General Manager also reported that Anegada is currently in restoration mode similar to Tortola.

In addition, the Deputy General Manager, Henry O. Creque said Jost van Dyke is also severely damaged and it will take a longer time to restore power there. “What we are doing in the interim is working on a generator for the water plant so the residents can have water on Jost van Dyke”, Mr. Creque said.

4 to 8 months wait for electricity?

Meanwhile, back on the main Island of Tortola, Mr. Abraham said “the overhead portion of the transmission network between Sleepy Hill and Hodges Creek on Tortola was severely damaged due to Hurricane Irma breaking several poles of this critical electrical infrastructure.”

There has been unofficial estimates that the VI could wait some 4 to 8 months before electricity is restore in all parts of the Islands.

Help has arrived from many Caribbean countries in the restoration process, as many residents are bracing for the long haul with purchase of generators to their homes, and businesses costing them hundreds of dollars weekly in gas and diesel.

 


17 Responses to “‘Time frame for Power in all areas can't be given'- Leroy A. E. Abraham”

  • BVI STRONG (30/09/2017, 14:21) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    well done Leroy and your team
  • jah know (30/09/2017, 14:30) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    these are the kind of reports we need from people on the ground doing the work not politicians fighting to get back in charge of the treasury and aid funding
  • Honestly (30/09/2017, 15:52) Like (9) Dislike (11) Reply
    I find they working slow...I aint seeing all the help they say they get manifesting...They seem to be no plan...They need a Pole planting and restoration crew Just planting and restorimg Poles through out the Teritory..
    • Grateful (30/09/2017, 17:51) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
      Why you dont go help? Thats why you going to be having more sleepless nights until you all become more grateful. These men risking their lives to get power back and you talking about working slow. You for real??? You go do it then. Go use your plan if BVIEC own aint working.....ungratefulness and selfishness is one of our biggest problems.
      • Light man (01/10/2017, 19:41) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        Ain't that we aren't grateful, it's just that u need more ppl doing the inside areas getting the poles in the ground. All of them can't be working on the main roads. That makes no sense at all. If u have 30 man, divide them in 6 teams of 5 men and send them In different areas. You will cover more ground that way. Simple
        • HMMM (01/10/2017, 21:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
          You have the equipment to give them to do this? How many bucket trucks do they have? Come on people think. They need resources not just human but also equipment, finance and materials
          • Grateful (02/10/2017, 18:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            Ask them again....and some of the same equipment which they had on island got destroyed.....including the equipment of some of the local businessmen that they would use also...all people care about is themselves and comfort....its just soooo sad how selfish these people are. The same guys who out there trying to connect power for you all including the GM has no power and no home...you all too darn ungrateful!!!
    • @Honestly (30/09/2017, 18:21) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply

      You giving them pole to plant. They do have a team for that and also lines men and guess what I'm not a BVIEC staff but I know this.

      After hurricane Irma corporation men went around and disconnected cables from down poles the proper way, a lot of citizens who feel they were helping went around with cutters cutting cables, not knowing if all or any were damage but they just cut, cut, cut. The government was already in financial issues before Irma, you think all of a sudden when them sh8t them going sh8t money to buy pole and cables... some ayo really ain't got no common sense. I guess it ain't to common after all.

    • Really (30/09/2017, 18:21) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      As humans we are too ungrateful. You have no freakin idea/clue what's involved or the dangers these guys face. What about them being away from their families. Have you even considered offering a cold drink. Shut your sick ass up. If nothing good say damn nothing. People like you irk me!
  • dead man (30/09/2017, 18:42) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    happy to know funeral homes have power I am not able with no more smells
  • pat (30/09/2017, 21:32) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    8 months for current my god I have to catch the next flight out mehson
    • Grateful (01/10/2017, 11:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Bye Bye!!
      • Street reporter (01/10/2017, 13:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        Making sure all the ministers home and businesses get current first and all the big paying customers.. The poor dead in this place..We got to take our purnishment. We cant Run... Lord help us..
        • Stop It (03/10/2017, 15:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          @street reporter....thats so not true...the ministers have generators and they are not connected to the grid. Ask any of them or the guys from BVIEC. Yes the big companies have power because we all need to buy food, do laundry, buy building supplies etc. some people really but nonsense out there to mislead people. Just be patient and pray while you are waiting...I pray that we BVI Islanders will stop spreading rumors...we right back at square one telling lies on innocent individuals.
  • Big up Raga and the water people! (01/10/2017, 13:39) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Electricity department is usually Good. Usually out standing in these situations. They dont seem to have it together Or maybe the need to revisit the plan they have...I too ain seeing the progress as expected. Maybe its my expectatoon because they been so good in the psat...Water Sewage seem to have a better plan this time around and beat them to the Gate...
    • Reply (01/10/2017, 20:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

      Rega deels with sh*t not water

    • Grateful (02/10/2017, 13:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      The water is working because BVIEC saw it fit to get power to the water plants first so you ungrateful people can get back to some kind of normalcy. What is really wrong with you people???? BVIEC doing a good job with the resources they have. It took over 50 years to get us to were BVIEC was pre hurricane Irma and you all want them to get back the up the transmission and powerlines in a coyple of months?? It aint going to happen so stop complaining and live with it.


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