File - The opening burning at Pockwood Pond has been a vexing issue for both local and USVI residents. Photo: VINO

“What was especially gratifying in addition to law enforcement is to be able to hear the Ministry talk about the addressing of the Pockwood Pond incinerator. That has been a tremendous concern for the people of St. John and to hear that there is a process that will result in it being completed the early part of the summer, I think is both gratifying to us but also I must commend the BVI for taking on an issue to address electricity and the waste within the community in a way that is creative,” the Governor said in his closing remarks at the Fourth Inter-Virgin Islands Council (IVIC) meeting which took place yesterday  May 12, 2011 at the Treasure Isle Hotel conference room here in the Virgin Islands.

The Governor further added that the USVI is also currently addressing its electricity and waste issues and through the Council, the two Territories can have further discussions on how best they can address the issues collectively.

In addition, he revealed that the issue of air quality that has been particularly a concern for St. John residents will also be addressed.

The USVI Governor thanked Premier of the VI Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, the VI delegation and his cabinet for the “frank discussions” on various matters of concern for both Territories that took place during the Council’s meeting.

The open burning on the Western end of Tortola has been a vexing issue for both local residents and residents of the United States Virgin Islands for a long time, especially those on St. John’s Coral Bay and more recently, led to the US State Department calling on local authorities to address the open burning.

In a statement that was issued by Governor de Jongh on March 10, 2011, he had stated, “Our friends in the British Virgin Islands must responsibly process their waste. It is unfair for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, specifically residents of St. John, to have their air quality diminished by the actions of a neighbouring country”.

Meanwhile, on January 27, 2011, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Petrona Davies had confirmed to VINO that the new incinerator at Pockwood Pond which is expected to address the open burning concerns, would be completed by late August to early September 2011.

Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. said it is gratifying to hear the VI's plan to address the open burning.

“We are very much concerned for those persons who are affected,” Mrs. Davies had told VINO outlining that the health ministry will soon be having community discussions with all those who are affected on the island of Tortola, mainly residents of the 1^st and 3^rd Districts.

In an article published in the St. Thomas Source on January 4, 2011 titled “Tortola dump fire has St. John residents fuming”, several residents of St. John had expressed their frustration with the open fire and one resident even suggested that they take the matter to the United Nations.

During the Christmas holidays last year, the external burning was producing black smoke which was as a result of items getting into the dumpsite that were not supposed to be there.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Davies had also revealed that while the workers at the Pockwood Pond incinerator are working under very strenuous conditions, the sorting of garbage continues at the dumpsite and efforts are concentrated to ensure that certain matters which release toxic into the air do not get into the external burning dumpsite.