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Bush cutting delayed territory-wide due to policy revision- PS Smith-Berkeley

Government has said delays in bush cutting works are due to changes that had to be made to the way contracts for bush cutting are awarded as a result of the implementation of recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report. Photo: VINO/File
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley has stated that the Ministry has experienced some administrative delays in attending to bush cutting throughout the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley has stated that the Ministry has experienced some administrative delays in attending to bush cutting throughout the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley has stated that the Ministry has experienced some administrative delays in attending to bush cutting throughout the Territory.

He explained that the delays are due to changes that had to be made to the way that contracts for bush cutting are awarded as a result of the implementation of recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report.

“There were many processes that had to be revised in our daily operations.  This was one of those things that came under the umbrella of revision for contracts,” Permanent Secretary Smith-Berkeley said in a Government Information Services (GIS) press release today, October 7, 2022.

It said while the comprehensive review of the bush-cutting policy and administrative issues are underway, the Ministry and its agencies are implementing measures to address the situation.

Additional attention to be given to road maintenance

The Department of Public Works and the Department of Waste Management will be giving additional attention in the maintenance of the Territory’s main road network. 

“The Public Works Department will continue to do its part to ensure safety on the roadways, and the clearing of obstructions on the roadways include, bushes, rocks, tree limbs and the like,” said the Director of Public Works, Mr Jeremy W. Hodge.

Mr Neville Allen, Acting Manager at the Department of Waste Management said that the team at the Department of Waste Management is also using their current collection zone schedule to guide in the increased effort to ensure a clean VI.    

The Government of the Virgin Islands is asking that motorists continue to drive with diligence as the collaborative effort by its agencies take action in providing safety on the Territory’s roadways.

20 Responses to “Bush cutting delayed territory-wide due to policy revision- PS Smith-Berkeley”

  • 1011011000 (07/10/2022, 12:37) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    soooo public needs policies ohh ok
  • HAHAHA (07/10/2022, 12:54) Like (35) Dislike (1) Reply
    R.I.P to kickbacks and favoritism. Boop! Boop! Boop!
  • New Normal? (07/10/2022, 12:58) Like (30) Dislike (9) Reply
    Is this part of the new normal where govt blames its failings on the COI?
  • simple (07/10/2022, 13:54) Like (38) Dislike (7) Reply
    Pay the prisoners to do it
    • @simple (07/10/2022, 14:58) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
      So, give the prisoners sharp blades( weapons )?? Lol
      • Local (08/10/2022, 06:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        So what is the difference they have the same Sharp weapons under their beds
    • Something ! (08/10/2022, 06:04) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      I’ve been saying why can’t the government create several teams with individuals from PWD and have them assigned to specific districts for the sole purpose of cutting bushes / grass and along the main road each month.

      I also think that a law should be enacted to make sure home owners keep their yards tidy. Give these individuals a warning for overgrown yards then fine them if they choose not address the matter. Something needs to be done!
  • VG Resident (07/10/2022, 13:57) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Get a bush cutter and get the job done much more quickly and efficiently.
  • Reality check (07/10/2022, 14:04) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    On Oct 15, 2021, Smith-Berkelay promised a fix for the sewage issue at Road Reef and to fixing the road which was ruined by the leaking sewage:"Also, for your information, a permanent fix is in place for next fiscal year which will involve shifting the station from the center of the road; this will also include remedial works to the road leading from the highway to Penn's Medical as it has been worsened over the years by this sewerage problem". Still no sign of any work on fixing the sewage leak or our roadway. Given his department has been dealing with this issue since at least 2018 it is obvious that that nothing he says can be believed!
  • William (07/10/2022, 14:29) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    look at huntums ghut road side what a shame
  • Karen (07/10/2022, 16:33) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This non productive PS need to go and address the life guard situation working under the fire service. We BVI landers are the same ones bringing down rhe BVI. We promoting tourism as the secound pillar of our economy and DON'T give a hoot about its frame work. Let Morgan Freeman or family have a beach mishap in the BVI. We will see how much salt butter cost ah pound!
  • good (07/10/2022, 17:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Using their friends to do a slap and dash job for taxpayers money. so that every week bush got to cut even when rain not falling to make it grow back so fast.
  • Greg (07/10/2022, 18:27) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Josiah's Bay from the top to the beach looks like a jungle. You have to be very careful coming around the bend in fear of running into another vehicle. You can't see squat! Some fools actually drive at a high rate of speed almost causing head-on accidents. MORONS!
  • east (07/10/2022, 19:31) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    I remember back in the days when the prisoners cut bush on the island. They continue to move files for the government when it is needed. I do feel that the prisoners can play a part in the community while earning some sort of compensation.
  • Pssh (07/10/2022, 22:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop with the prisoner talk you all well can think of people looking work including the victims of those prisoners probably.

    It’s not all about kick backs. That is a joke to persons but at the end of the day our homeless problem is nearly non existent due to long standing practices which are unique to our situation.

    Before throwing the baby out with the bath water we must admit the VI has been doing something right which other countries are still doing wrong.

    Some countries do trickle down economics where the rich get government stimulus and bail outs that in turn feed the poor by their breadcrumbs.

    Our social success comes from having no fear of direct injection to the bottom level of our society through this & other types of seasonal & temporary labor.

    After slavery no one wanted to work full time and part time work became a staple of traditional life.

    These things we want to get rid of suddenly have a history & purpose.

    Haste makes waste I’d hate to see the society decline because we rip up our roots trying to please other peoples who continually have a homeless crisis year round including each winter.

    As a person who freezes under 70F being in that situation while a bank or corporation gets bailed out is unimaginable.
  • pwd (07/10/2022, 22:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can the PS please confirm what PWD does on a daily basis.
  • The difference (08/10/2022, 09:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    between BVI politicians and senior BVI civil service managers is their job security. Even in the corrupt BVI the incompetent politicians will eventually be voted out of office by their constituency or arrested somewhere. Meanwhile corrupt and/or incompetent senior managers in the civil service can endlessly repeat their mistakes and greed with no consequences whatsoever! Then they just retire and live happily ever after on their BVI pensions.
  • Col (08/10/2022, 15:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let them contract people to clean the roads. Even the 2 cents people getting to clean roads twice a year gone out the door. Is it that everything our government was doing was wrong? No man Pure pressure on our people. If all you think we going to go by the shop to buy food to keep us alive out of that little change well the col took it away for transparency and the territory grow like a wild forest. Here is what's gonna happen there are still good people with big hearts. We will not let our area grow like a forest because of col demands.


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