General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), Dr Neil M. Smith, has said he will never compromise the safety of the employees, even if it means power remains off. Photo: BVIEC/Facebook

BVIEC Lineworkers following the passage of Tropical Storm Erin in August 2025. Photo: BVIEC/Facebook

Dr Smith explained that generally, the practice now is to leave a feeder off if it trips due to a weather event, sending someone out to fix it only when it is deemed safe for a BVIEC employee to do so.

That time may not be safe for the general public to be out, but when it is agreed that the BVIEC employee can tolerate whatever weather system is affecting the Territory at the time, a team will be sent, Dr Smith told the co-hosts of Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on September 8, 2025. 

No apologies if power needs to come off for safety reasons

“I tell BVIEC employees all the time, in my opinion, my job is simple; I have two things to do. Number 1 is to meet the mandate that the ministry and the board have given me…right next to it, not below, right next to it, is to look after the BVIEC employees,” he added. 

Dr Smith said that if at any time it is felt that the employees of the BVIEC are in danger, they are removed from said danger. 

“If it means that the power needs to come off, it comes off, and we don’t make any apologies.”

This, he said, is the approach he has taken while leading the Virgin Islands’ sole electricity company. 

“I believe that when people come to your place of work, their families need to be reassured that you’re looking at them to the best of your ability. That is a lot to do. If it’s a safety issue and all, then we’re…very clear on it. If our employees are in danger, our BVIEC employees are in danger, or if we feel that the public is in danger, then the power goes off.”

The BVIEC does not tolerate much when it comes to safety, Dr Smith stated.

The General Manager stated on the same show that statistics show the territory is experiencing fewer power outages; however, customers seem to be less tolerant towards power outages than before.