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Gov’t to build sewerage treatment plant, not waiting on Biwater!

- Public debate for water contract
Sewerage overflow in Road Town is a long standing issue.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Government will not be waiting on Biwater to set up sewerage treatment plants but rather it will be taking matters into its own hands and set up sewerage treatment plants to address the long standing sewerage woes of the Territory.

Speaking today March 23, 2012 during the 2012 Budget Debate, Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool expressed his dissatisfaction with the time being taken to address the sewerage woes of the Territory and said he is not waiting on Biwater to make some money on water as they have told him, before they can address the long standing sewerage woes of the Territory.

“I am not going to do that. I am not waiting for that. Because I thought was free but they (Biwater) tell me now they have to make some money first and I don’t know how long they will take and in the meantime, my people are suffering … so I will ensure my Hon. Premier and Cabinet authorize me so I can go and do what has to be done to treat the sewerage in East End Long Look and treat the Sewerage in Road Town and wherever else has to be treated and stop throwing it into the ocean,” Hon. Vanterpool disclosed in the HOA today.

Speaking about the people of the 8th district, Hon. Vanterpool said residents of East End /Long Look have been suffering for too long and while there are talks as to who will build the treatment plant at Paraquita Bay, “We will do what has to be done and then answer questions later” if the Premier will allow him to go that route. “We ain’t going pumping sewerage no longer into water or like my good member of the third district complain on a regular basis, it’s time for us to stop pumping the sewerage into the sea and I am not waiting for Biwater to bring no plant … we are going to make sure there is a sewerage treatment plant in Bird Point or wherever it has to be and treat the sewerage in Road Town.”

Furthermore, Minister Vanterpo0l said sewerage has become a complacent issue, as first time when it had began running in the streets of Road Town it was a big deal and now it is not seen as anything much. He said as Minister he is not accepting that as he went to Cabinet on Wednesday March 21, 2012 and they approved the money to order the right pumps to deal with that issue.

Water contract for public meetings

Meanwhile, Minister Vanterpool reiterated that Government will be reviewing all water contract and arrangements and will be taking its case to the public, in the same way it has taken the taxi and labour issues.

“We will be taking the case of water, we are not jumping to any conclusions we are not rushing to any decisions, we are taking our time.”

12 Responses to “Gov’t to build sewerage treatment plant, not waiting on Biwater!”

  • Iron Lion (23/03/2012, 14:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    HAHAHA!!! Where critic? They say it was for FREE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Cat out the bag!!!! Then another idiot was on here saying the new plans wont cost Government anything? You think the sun got us moo moo down here? We got brains!
    • insider (23/03/2012, 16:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      let's hear the truth from the NDP and dem paid blogers on this...no lies please...
    • Virgin Son (23/03/2012, 16:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      "critic" right dey in the HOA watching you all and smiling with he ball head.
  • Real Talk (23/03/2012, 14:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BRING IT TO THE PUBLIC MARK!!! I am glad for that! Now we will hear the lies, we will hear facts!! We will see who is really charging Government way too much for water! BOOM!
  • critic (23/03/2012, 14:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    where they found money...i thought they say the country broke? bunch ah liars!
    • Real Talk (23/03/2012, 14:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You don't read? They took money from the pie in the sky, waste of time project, the Sea Cows Bay Harbour. Almost a million dollars on nonsense while we walk in sewerage. The money didn't magically appear, it's being diverted from bulls$$t to important stuff. get it now? critic that. lol
  • mother hen (23/03/2012, 16:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Mark boss we behind you 100% we need to take the bull by the horn and fix water and seweage!.....you need a good manager.
  • taxpayer (25/03/2012, 13:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    At what stage will Dr. Smith tell these Ministers of his to shut the hell up from embarrassing him. Each one is trying to out do the other. I am begining to wonder if all this is not setting the stage for the next election.
  • tell me why? (25/03/2012, 23:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    so why is Mark wasting this money and the country broke and we getting it for free from Biwater?
  • Quiet Storm (26/03/2012, 22:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Without a doubt sewerage treatment is needed to protect the health and use of the sea. Dumping raw sewerage into the sea results in pollution; it impairs the sea, restricting swimming, fishing, diving, snorkeling, and other uses. Is a treatment plant included in BI-Water contract? And if so why not negotiate with BI-Water to front load the construction of the plant? If government constructs the plant, will a deductive changing order be initiated to remove it from the contract? The equipment is for a plant is a long lead time item. What happens if BI-water has already ordered the equipment and production has already started?
    • Fact (28/03/2012, 19:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Indeed my friend, the Sewage Treatment Plant is a part of The Water Purchase Agreement, however, there can be no reduction in the Agreement since this is one of the many items in the Agreement that doesn't come with a dollar figure. It is free. Biwater has already said that they will front load the Sewage Treatment Plant, just like hey did with the Sabbath Hill Reservoir, but the NDP has seemingly already set themselves up with Global Water to send some sewage work their way. You need to check out who owns Global Water. The Premier needs to discipline his Ministers. This type of loose talk of irresponsible spending of taxpayers money is shear arrogance. Why would anyone who has a contract for a free (no addition cost) Sewage Traetmrnt Plant decide to do it themselves with money we just don't have?


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