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Biwater 'was & still is a costly mistake'- Kevin C. Smith aka 'OJ'

- said controversial project led by Hon Julian Fraser continues to be an economic leakage
Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Third District Candidate Mr Kevin C. Smith aka OJ has slammed the controversial BiWater project spearheaded by incumbent Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA in 2010 as a costly mistake and which has still not fixed the water woes of the territory. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Julian Fraser RA back in December 2021 claimed he was not responsible for introducing the controversial water-purchase agreement during his time in office as Minister of Communications and Works. Photo: Facebook/File
Hon Julian Fraser RA back in December 2021 claimed he was not responsible for introducing the controversial water-purchase agreement during his time in office as Minister of Communications and Works. Photo: Facebook/File
Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Third District Candidate Mr Kevin C. Smith aka ‘OJ’ has made a serious commitment to restore an adequate supply of water to the District and the rest of the territory, once elected. Photo: Facebook
Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Third District Candidate Mr Kevin C. Smith aka ‘OJ’ has made a serious commitment to restore an adequate supply of water to the District and the rest of the territory, once elected. Photo: Facebook
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Third District Candidate Mr Kevin C. Smith aka ‘OJ’ has made a serious commitment to restore an adequate supply of water to the District and the rest of the territory, once elected.

Water woes have plagued the territory for years, with both households and businesses being affected.

This issue was also highlighted by Mr Smith during his official campaign launch at Sea Cows Bay on March 29, 2023, as he pointed to the infrastructure as being the main source of contention.

“We are still contending with water issues in this District and across this territory and to be frank, we shouldn’t have had to. Our issue was and still is the infrastructure that delivers water," Mr Smith stated.

Biwater was a 'costly mistake'- 'OJ

Mr Smith also slammed the controversial BiWater project spearheaded by incumbent Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA in 2010 as a costly mistake and which has still not fixed the water woes of the territory.

“All we did by getting buy water is make our water situation worse and create an economic leakage of cash to a foreign company which no longer circulates in our economy. It was and still is a costly mistake,” Mr Smith said.

Nonetheless, he said the VIP Party has committed to bringing an adequate distribution of water back to the District.

Biwater 

It was in 2015 that Biwater was sold to Florida-based Seven Seas Water Corporation.

The controversial project was met with strong opposition in 2010 and is believed to have been the cause of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) losing the 2011 General Elections.

The project was likened to being an albatross around the neck of the territory.

Hon Fraser back in December 2021 claimed he was not responsible for introducing the controversial water-purchase agreement during his time in office as Minister of Communications and Works.

He was at the time speaking of the large amounts of monies and water being wasted by the Water & Sewerage Department (W&SD), adding that Government pours $27 million into W&SD each year to purchase water but the department only collects $3.5 million in return from usage.

27 Responses to “Biwater 'was & still is a costly mistake'- Kevin C. Smith aka 'OJ'”

  • The watchdog (03/04/2023, 07:29) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
    We with o j this time boss
  • played out (03/04/2023, 07:39) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    THAT $10,000 PER MONTH CONSULTANCY CONTRACT WAS ALSO A COSTLY MISTAKE BECAUSE THE PREMIER WAS ARRESTED AND THE COUNTRY WENT INTO SHAME.
    • Blind Man (03/04/2023, 14:30) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply

      @ played out you sound jealous that you ain't qualify or have what it takes to get a 120k salary at all. Money doesn't frightened this man look at his portfolio everywhere this man worked he made big money so sit your trifling @$% down and stop hating.

  • You still wont be able to defeat fraser (03/04/2023, 07:51) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mr OJ we all know from long that biwater has been a political football for years now. You cannot keep blaming Fraser if the government wont keep up their end of the bargain. The government over the years refused to build reservoirs to hold extra water, they refused to upgrade the distribution, So why continue to blame fraser after i5 years for political mileage?
    • cut and paste (04/04/2023, 11:01) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      So why you with the party that brought biwater. It Was not Fraser only was the whole team. U argue about it on the NDP team now you arguing about it on the team that brought it. Da don’t make sense!
  • talk all (03/04/2023, 08:02) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    BIWATER DID GOOD BY GIVING US TWO FREE SEWAGE PLANTS AND TWO FREE RESERVOIRS. THEY ALSO RAN THE SEWAGE PIPE FROM TOWN TO SLANEY WITHOUT DISRUPTING THE TRAFFIC BY THE USE OF A HIGH-TECH DRILL.
  • any bets? (03/04/2023, 08:15) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    Fraser is going to landslide this dude again simply because he decided to join a team against his mother's will.
    • Navel String Cut (03/04/2023, 10:42) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      I believe he is a grown man and is capable of making his own decisions.
  • The country wants the VIP gone (03/04/2023, 08:18) Like (16) Dislike (7) Reply
    Mayson you joined the wrong team, a team that you OJ was talking bad for years BUT FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY YOU JUMPED AND JOINED THEM
    • Blind Man (03/04/2023, 14:36) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ The country wants VIP gone bad. Love of what money fool this guy is a money maker with or without government he has qualifications so VIP win or VIP lose he will find a job unlike Damion who sucking on a party in hope of a job to pay his bills.
  • They are playing spiteful games (03/04/2023, 08:20) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tell your VIP to connect the 8 inch pipe up Chalwell that the NDP installed
  • HMMM (03/04/2023, 08:36) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Still up to now from Irma 2017 till now 2023 can’t get no water from it to the farms in paraquita bay smhhhhh…..
  • Ne Timeas (03/04/2023, 09:06) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    OK. OJ, BI-water was not perfect but what project is. Just for the record BI-water came on scene under the VIP. Further, but the NDP of which you were member want to make it fail. Remember the excitement in “ Bi-water Bruck down” by a former MCW? We must stop the practice of an incoming government try to kill and bury a project started by its predecessor. It is waste, fraud, abuse, petty costly in both money and services, practice. Why all the noise about Biwater stop after the purchase by Seven Seas? Is there something else in the mortar but the pestle? OK. The water infrastructure (water, wastewater, storm water) is in poor shape. Fraser is not the only one who should be call to task, ie, Pickering, Walwyn, Ronnie , former recent director, VIP etc should be call to task. We don’t want to hear it was thus or that Premier’s fault, for the captain was not only one on board. Anyway, what is your proposal to solve the water infrastructure problem, how will your proposal be paid for, timeline for completion? Stop the “I will fix this or that” for there is little you or any other individual can do alone. It takes the HoA to make things happen. Let’s stop the Superman nonsense; bringing a project to fruition entails collaboration, cooperation, etc.
    • @Ne Timeas (08/04/2023, 16:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      the former recent Director makes recommendations. Policy makers fund them. keep the blame where it belongs.
  • The undisputed champion J frazer (03/04/2023, 09:13) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    You could try all you want but julian is anchored in that seat.
    • Concerned (03/04/2023, 09:45) Like (14) Dislike (6) Reply
      That's the problem with third district and the BVI . Voters are stuck in their ways. Fraser has done little to nothing for his District but you all keep putting him back in the complaining. It's a set of crazy People. Fraser goes in, gets his salary and the district is a hundred years back. All you all do is complain and criticise but put in back the same not doing anything leaders. You all deserve the leaders you get. BVI voters are ridiculous and need to be smarter than they are. You all like to hang people pass over them even if they can help you. SICK peiple
  • james (03/04/2023, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why no meters for numerous years now?
  • Be real (03/04/2023, 09:17) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Any company that can’t produce continuous running water for a small island like this is a failure!
    • @Be real (08/04/2023, 16:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      any government. They fix what people can see but what is underneath is what is killing you. No foresight
  • WHAT!!! (03/04/2023, 10:00) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Traffic lights on a roundabout was also a costly mistake but when you refuse to listen to reason and others but have to have it your way that’s what happens.
    • talk that too (03/04/2023, 14:22) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      How come you didn't mention those that are working still? It was he Fraser who put up all ah dem....It was he Fraser that made cellphone affordable for all including children...It was he Fraser that extended the airport by the use of a high-tech dredge...It was he Fraser that covered the ghut by the horse track so people could stand on concrete instead of dirt....It was he Fraser who paved most of the roads in district 3...It was he Fraser that rebuilt the bridge in sea cows bay....It was he Fraser that put side walks throughout sea cow's bay....I will stop there for now.
  • Too weak (03/04/2023, 10:31) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Sorry but this man is not strong enough to beat Fraser in the 3rd this year, maybe 2027.
  • lol (03/04/2023, 11:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Biwater is not the problem. The problem is the lack of government investment in the distribution network.
    • @LOL (03/04/2023, 13:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's a FACT! Government keeps failing the people of this Territory with its lack of water distribution and an old and decrepit system. Biwater supplying but Government not distributing for YEARS, upon years now.
  • district 1 (03/04/2023, 12:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have large Tanks in district one and no water in them so we can get water.
  • The Birth of Corruption.. (03/04/2023, 16:07) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    All the Ministers under Ralph VIP were accused of being , greedy, selfish and corrupt. Ralph Leadership was so poor. That was the birth of excessive greed and corruption that spined of of control Ralph just sat and watch, most time he fell asleep..
  • musa (03/04/2023, 22:34) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    ojj keep trying next time you will reach me


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