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UPDATE: No immediate danger with cables in water-BVIEC

- Exposed electrical cables on Hodge’s Creek road to be completely secured soon
The upper section of the road that is damaged. Photo: Provided
The lower section of the road that has been damaged consequent of the un-repaired road. Photo: Provided
The lower section of the road that has been damaged consequent of the un-repaired road. Photo: Provided
The damaged water logged section where the electrical pipe and cables are exposed. Photo: Provided
The damaged water logged section where the electrical pipe and cables are exposed. Photo: Provided
Deputy General Manager of BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Mr Henry O. Creque anticipates having the cables well secured within approximately seven days but made it clear that BVIEC will not be concreting the entire section of the road that was broken but only the part where the cables are exposed. Photo: Facebook
Deputy General Manager of BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Mr Henry O. Creque anticipates having the cables well secured within approximately seven days but made it clear that BVIEC will not be concreting the entire section of the road that was broken but only the part where the cables are exposed. Photo: Facebook
HODGE’S CREEK, Tortola, VI – Persons residing along the road leading to Dead Man's Apartment and others who traverse the road are likely to have their fears allayed soon as the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has promised swift action to secure an exposed pipe containing electrical lines.

Residents in the area had contacted Virgin Islands News Online to express their concerns about the state of the road and the suspected danger that the exposed cables could pose. They had also called on the relevant authorities to take actions to ensure the sections of the road allegedly dug up by a resident were fixed. As a result of the damage to the surface of the road, underground cables belonging to BVIEC were exposed and constantly immersed in a pool of water.

The residents claimed to have reported their concerns to BVIEC and Public Works Department but to no satisfaction.

Since senior officials of BVIEC were alerted of the issue by this news site, they have reportedly stepped in to avoid any potential danger. Giving an update on inspections made yesterday June 26, 2013, Deputy General Manager of BVIEC, Mr Henry O. Creque told Virgin Islands News Online that a team was deployed “immediately” to assess the situation.

He said while the exposed pipe with electrical cables poses no immediate danger it can be potentially hazardous. "We have to make people feel safe and while we know, as it is now, it’s not immediately dangerous it is important that we secure it to avert any potential danger."

Mr Creque anticipates having the cables well secured within approximately seven days but made it clear that BVIEC will not be concreting the entire section of the road that was broken but only the part where the cables are exposed.

The concerned residents said they were grateful for the response of BVIEC but suggested management re-enforce operational guidelines, which will see junior staff keeping management informed in a timely manner. "We did speak to other staff there but it’s obvious that they didn't log the complaint and ensure that it was in the hands of management. We can't take these things lightly," noted a resident.

They are now hoping a similar response would be forthcoming from Public Works Department and the alleged defaulting resident.

See previous article posted June 27, 2013

Hodge’s Creek residents upset about damaged road

- say PWD seems powerless to get alleged defaulting resident to repair road

Residents of Hodge's Creek residing along the road leading to Dead Man’s apartment have expressed frustration about a bad patch on the main road in the area, which was allegedly dug up some six months ago by a resident to have electricity and water accessed to his newly built three story apartment.

The road was damaged in three places and, according to residents, things could get “pretty scary” especially since water and electricity are no friends and the area is one that experiences a frequent flow of traffic. As a result of the destruction of the road, an underground electrical cable has been left exposed and is always flooded with water, the residents told Virgin Islands News Online.

Over the past two days this news agency made several attempts to secure a comment from Public Works Department (PWD) but to no avail. The most recent attempt to speak with Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Gary Penn, was met with unanswered calls to his mobile and, according to the Government switchboard receptionist; none of the phones in that office were in operation.

Deputy General Manager of BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), Mr Henry O. Creque told this news site when contacted that he communicated with one of the concerned residents consequent of being alerted to the problem last night, June 25, 2013. He promised to investigate the matter with urgency.

General Manager of BVIEC, Mr Leroy A.E. Abraham was also contacted and he told this news site he was not aware of the situation but promised to look into it with urgency.

“We, the residents, have been patient enough and heard enough of the ‘I will cast it tomorrow or Monday’ stories,” a resident told Virgin Islands News Online.

The persons filing the complaint have all asked not to be named since they do want the matter to escalate into a conflict. They said the relevant authorities; Public Works Department in particular, have been contacted by several persons about the condition of the road that continues to deteriorate every day.

“As you can see, the electrical pipes, which were covered under the dirt, have been exposed and now sit in a pool of water. Several attempts have been made to alert the electricity department who has done nothing to help rectify this hazard,” said one concerned resident.

The residents also said they had expressed their concerns to the homeowner who they said continues to fill the two ditches with dirt only to be washed away by rain and the continuous flow of water from the area. “This situation is not only frustrating but annoying; mostly because it has been months and Public Works seem not to care about the destruction of this road even after many complaints. The hurricane season is approaching and if no action is taken to have this situation rectified many residents of the area, including myself, will not be able to drive uphill to get to our homes,” another resident argued.

Residents are appealing to the homeowner and Public Works Department to get the situation rectified as they said it is an annoyance, discomfort and dangerous to persons’ lives. It is by law that once an individual has to “cut” a public road to allow access for utilities to their property, it is their obligation to have it fixed within 2 days. Written consent has to be given and permissions have to be signed.

“My question is why Public Works Department has not done anything about this road when they have been informed of the situation and why was the home owner allowed to remain so negligent in his duty to repair the ditches which has caused the road to shift in position,” a resident stated.

33 Responses to “UPDATE: No immediate danger with cables in water-BVIEC”

  • ooooo (26/06/2013, 08:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    does this government really cares?....no i dont think so!
    • in the news (26/06/2013, 08:41) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why is anyone shocked with PWD or for the Ministry of works for that matter??? Talk about going to the dogs...A place where nothing gets done
      • bay yute (27/06/2013, 23:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        well only the minister request gets done..others better suck salt
  • DON Q (26/06/2013, 08:18) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    the government has failed we the people
    • crime (26/06/2013, 18:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      .....……………….What you all really need to do is get a life and stop being stuck on stupid
  • bay yute (26/06/2013, 08:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ...... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  • tretretrete (26/06/2013, 08:47) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    If I remember well when I was building my house and wanted to dig up the road to put down my cable for electricity. I got an excavating form from PWD requesting permission to dig the road, and on that form it tells you that you are responsible for covering and fixing the road back after you are finished. So you cannot blame the Gov't for this the government now needs to get the person who dug up the road to fix it and if he does'nt take him to court. He knows everything and he can read so how come he aint see that part on the form. Unless he did it the crooked way.
    • Correct (26/06/2013, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I remeber asking the builder if he was going to fix the road 6mths ago and he bold face told me no
  • done (26/06/2013, 09:42) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    OK - now that the issue has come out in the media, by tomorrow, we will see a pic of the road fixed. Problem resolved thanks to VINO
  • No Name (26/06/2013, 10:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Im sure its one of the NDP friends, Family or Cronies who dug up the Road. thats why ntn is being done about it.
  • JACK BE STILL (26/06/2013, 10:15) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    God god election come nu so we can get that incompitent government out of office
  • ... (26/06/2013, 10:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep up the GOOD work up VINO you have became the voice of the lilttle people
    • DADDY FRIDAY (27/06/2013, 00:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can't wait for the outcome of the next election when the NDP is wipe out
  • visitor (26/06/2013, 10:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Welcome to the BVI, and the land of empty promises and lies. Looking forward to it.

  • fix it (26/06/2013, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WELL I LIVE UP THAT SIDE N THIS BIG DITCH MASHING UP MY JEEP ....
    • xxxxxxxx (26/06/2013, 18:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      All of a sudden the government depts are more important than the people they serve.
  • winers (26/06/2013, 12:04) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Me sick ah ayo people ayo compain for every dam thing!
    • tretretrete (26/06/2013, 17:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just be happy you don't have to drive up there... Foolish.. Thats why this place is in such a mess because ppl like you sit and say nothing. When we go to traffic if our tyres are too smooth they will not license our vehicles... you probably don't own a vehicle because if you did you would not have made such an ignorant statement.
    • soulja boy (29/06/2013, 21:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I tell yah
  • Judith (26/06/2013, 13:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    with the rains they better get this fix fast
  • Hmmmmm (26/06/2013, 17:01) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    And while the authorities are at it they can CONSIDER keeping their word and fix the nasty hole in the middle of the road in Greenland where the raw sewerage is spitting out and people walk up and down the road all day. Terrible health hazard. Load of talk and no action.
  • Walk a mile in our shoes (26/06/2013, 17:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @winers - I live in this area and I can affirm that it is also plagued with a constant flood of running water flowing down the steepest part of the hills. As a result the hill is now very smooth and requires drivers build up a certain level of speed to make it up the hill without sliding and slipping back down. Because of the deep gushers cut in the Road (it's a nasty drop no matter what you are driving), you MUST basically drive your vehicle HARD (while grimacing) through the deep gushers (there are two) to gather enough speed to get up the hill. It really is a bad situation to be in.... until you walk a mile in our shoes, you will never understand. I've had an egg on brand new tires which i've had to replace to ensure my family's safety and I sometimes dread going home everytime it rains, as I know what faces me...I blame the homeowner!!!!
  • Progressive (26/06/2013, 17:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The picture doesn't depict the problem as it was filled in with dirt yesterday. The whole is about 4 feet wide and very deep....the dirt will is a two day fix as it will wash away AGAIN with the next rain, coupled with the water flowing from the hill....
  • pe (26/06/2013, 17:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is indeed who you for country
  • goosey gander (27/06/2013, 08:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    The water constantly running off the hill is the con******r that live up there sewerage water that he pump out in the night, and now that the rain coming if the police or health dept go up there in an non government vehicle they will catch him with he pump pumping, the goos is to loose.

  • vincy (27/06/2013, 08:40) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply

    Public works has gone to the dogs...every man jack is doing as they please some people have not reproved t works for weeks…what a mess and the head is just a big bull sh$#%r and that is a fact!!!

  • more to come (27/06/2013, 15:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    there are many other situation like this...I hope others come forward
  • high hope (28/06/2013, 11:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    'Welcome to Nigeria - the British Virgin Islands done right'
  • move on.com (29/06/2013, 08:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We must put people in place who are committed to make the difficult changes necessary for a brighter day in the BVI
  • Live in the area (04/07/2013, 23:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well the ditch was filed with sand ( sea sand). I could not drive up with the fresh sand. I don't know what's going on..... or if that ditch will ever get fixed. Its just sad that one person can be so selfish... My neighbor's car who is quite pregnant was seen parked below the hill yesterday. I hope it was her husband driving and not her.


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