UPDATE: Normalcy restored near JVD ferry terminal
Following complaints by residents published by Virgin Islands News Online on December 20, 2013 of the deplorable conditions found at the parking lot, several loads of material were allegedly hurriedly added to the area a few days later.
The area, which is largely occupied by taxis and other vehicles waiting to transport tourists and visitors to the island, was previously flooded and in poor condition for a lengthy period of time.
Observers noted however, that the resurfacing material used was allegedly placed in an indiscriminate manner without any notice or consultation with any residents and vehicles were in the area preventing the works from being done effectively.
One resident expressed gratitude for the work done and said the area looks much more appealing following the upgrade to the area.
A popular establishment on the island is scheduled to host a grand New Years Eve event this evening, December 31, 2013 and thousands of visitors are expected through the area.
Attempts to solicit a comment from Head of the Public Works Department, Mr Jeffrey M. Skelton, were unsuccessful up to post time.
See previous story posted December 20, 2013:
JVD residents bemoan deplorable state of area near ferry terminal
GREAT HARBOUR, Jost Van Dyke, VI – Residents are fuming at the deplorable conditions which greet tourists and locals alike upon arrival at Jost Van Dyke and are calling on authorities to provide an urgent fix.
The area situated just left or south-west of the ferry terminal, and occupied by taxis and other waiting vehicles, is currently filled with muddy water and offers a telling reception to the island for persons now arriving for the first time, one resident disclosed.
According to a resident, the area has been in this present situation for a number of years and several appeals made to various authorities to have it fixed have all allegedly been to no avail.
It was further disclosed that one estimate provided by a local private contractor to have the area fixed was allegedly previously rejected by government officials as being too expensive.
This is despite an offer by the contractor to have the project done at a reduced price or to facilitate some other form of compromise.
When asked whether Second District representative Hon. J. Alvin Christopher has been approached about the issue, one resident responded, ‘Our Representative doesn’t have a say right now.’
Calls to Hon. Christopher for comment on the issue were unsuccessful up to post time.
“We have been talking to everybody who could help us, including [BVI] Ports Authority and Public Works,” the resident said, “we want it fixed.”
The resident protested that the area is expected to be flooded by tourists soon for an upcoming event and this made the situation all the more urgent.
Virgin Islands News was told that the area in question is not under the responsibility of the BVI Ports Authority but rather the Public Works Department.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
19 Responses to “UPDATE: Normalcy restored near JVD ferry terminal”
Send a small barge over with some stone and hire a few young men to rake it out. No need to involve contractors or heavy equipment. It can be done very inexpensively.
Let PWD fix the damn thing what private contractor? They all want to sit over there smoking weed, shooting the breeze and then cry out whenever their money runs out. I agree it looks a hot mess but PWD should be able to fix that in a day. Private contract my @$$! Why are we paying PWD salary, medical, contributing to pension, sending them away to University etc. if we will keep giving a set of pretend contractors a set of money for nothing?
- Does the property belong to the Government or is it privately owned?
- How effective is the PWD Supervisor & the workmen over there?
- Why isn't their representative addressing this issue? He could have taken it to the HOA for support.
- Why wait until the 11th hour to get a quick fix and there are 12 months in a year?
- Why can't the people (especially the contractor who submitted the estimate) try to help themselves?
- Does the Government have to do everything in this country?
- Why blame the NDP or VIP for this when the problem is as old as Methulizer?