Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Hon Rymer boldly promises to be minister to fix EE/LL sewerage woes

- Project projected to be completed next year, 2021
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) has promised to be the minister to finally bring relief to the communities of East End and Long Look by fixing the much-talked-about and decades-old sewerage issues there. Photo: Facebook
From left: Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture and Seventh District Representative, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5); Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1); and Opposition Leader and Eighth District Representative, Hon Marlon A. Penn break ground for the relaunch of the East End/Long Look Sewerage Project on October 30, 2020. Photo: Facebook
From left: Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture and Seventh District Representative, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5); Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1); and Opposition Leader and Eighth District Representative, Hon Marlon A. Penn break ground for the relaunch of the East End/Long Look Sewerage Project on October 30, 2020. Photo: Facebook
EAST END, Tortola, VI- Many governments and many Works Ministers have come and gone without being able to fix the long-standing sewerage issue plaguing the East End/Long Look community; however, first-term legislator and Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) has boldly promised to be the minister to finally bring relief to the affected communities.

Hon Rymer said the sewerage project is projected to be completed by 2021, and the sum of $6,142,500 has already been earmarked for it by the Government of the Virgin Islands.

“Your government is here today to keep yet another promise made to the people of the BVI. It is with pride and confidence and with God’s grace and blessings that I stand here today as the minister who intends on seeing this project through to completion,” he stated while delivering remarks at the relaunching ceremony for the project on Friday, October 30, 2020.

He said, with the relaunching, it signals a pivotal step in addressing the issue which has been spoken about since the 1970s.

“Today’s ceremony ushers in a new era of a cleaner and healthier environment for the people in the community of these parts of the island.”

Project to be done in 3 phases 

He explained that the undertaking would be done in three phases.

Phase one will deal with the preliminary works such as preparation and procuring the needed materials and equipment to get the job done as well as undertaking a household residential assessment to obtain information on the waste generated per family.

There will also be community meetings.

In the second phase, the gravity lines, manholes, pump stations and the like will be installed from Parham Town to Paraquita Bay.

The third phase will be to establish sludge drying beds in Paraquita Bay.

The entire undertaking is slated to be completed in 12 months, Hon Rymer informed.

34 Responses to “Hon Rymer boldly promises to be minister to fix EE/LL sewerage woes”

  • Know what? (02/11/2020, 12:02) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kye I like you, and I believe you will get this done. But, don’t make any promises to anyone. Say you will do the best that you can do.
    • @Know what (02/11/2020, 15:59) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      “#I’MWITHYOUONTHIS”. I ALSO LIKE HIM AND HE IS A NICE GUY. I AGREE, DON’T PROMISE ANYTHING. JUST DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO, COMMUNICATE WITH THE PEOPLE AND KEEP IT REAL. YOU WILL GARNER THE RESPECT FROM THE PEOPLE.
    • josiah'sbay (02/11/2020, 21:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      I'm sorry, don't politic works something like they promise us something and we elect them and they full fill their promise so that we will elect them again? I can't go with the "do the best that you can scenario" I'm more comfortable with " make it happen".
    • Forward on (03/11/2020, 10:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is not so much about promises, but it is about "setting goals" and "planning" and "getting s#!t done". He said the right things, why try to discourage him (as if he would listen to negative comments, anyway)?
  • YAWN (02/11/2020, 12:05) Like (25) Dislike (6) Reply
    Shame on Marlon. He let Mark take his money that was already budgeted to fix the sewage and give to the Pier Park now somebody else have to fix his problem. He cant fix the problems in his backyard but want us to believe that he can fix the entire territory.
    • trevor (02/11/2020, 20:53) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Really?
      How does a junior member of the party stop a behind-the-scenes deal by the Senior minister?
      Marlon knew when we knew, focus your blame on the ones responsible for misappropriation.
      • YAWN (03/11/2020, 12:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

        Stupid excuse, If your party disrespect you by taking your money to fix a decade old problem for your district why the $%^& would you run with the party during the next election. Mitch, Archie, Ronnie, Pickering all went their separate ways for various reasons and Marlon who had the biggest reason to go endorsed the same ones that disrespected him. It would have looked a lot better if Marlon fought for his district. He made a little fuss then it was back to business as usual.

  • Paw Patrol (02/11/2020, 12:12) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    He can do it. Yes he can. I’m so glad he is the communication and works minister.
  • Priority (02/11/2020, 12:24) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Eastern community needs some serious attention this is the first place traveler see when traveling to the VI.
    • Youth (02/11/2020, 13:22) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      It all starts with us. Let us get together and clean up East End. We need national pride. Fixing the sewage system would not change it. Let us look around our surrounding and start cleaning. The government cannot do everything.
      • Just say it (02/11/2020, 14:39) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        I'm sure there are persons who will be willing to join the clean up crew and beautify the district. I will just organize it. Let the R8 minister put it on FB.
  • yesss (02/11/2020, 13:21) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    AND HE WILL GET IT DONE FOSURE!!!!!
  • Deal wid dem bikes (02/11/2020, 13:28) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    I would also like him to boldly deal with the noise plaguing our communities from these motor bikes. He also need to address the manipulation of these bikes from their original state from the manufacturer which are causing excessive noise pollution. If these bikes cannot be controlled and the riders are not adhering to the safety rules of the roads and wearing of protective gears then the privilege of riding these bikes should be taken away.
  • Thanks (02/11/2020, 13:49) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    MR RYHMER THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DID AND IS DOING BUT YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO YHE DEPARTMENT OF WARER AND SEWRAGE PEOPLE ARE GRTTING THIEF YOU PAY YOUR BILL AND ON YOUR NEST BILL IS THE SAME AMOUNT OF WATWER YOU USE AND THE BILL IS HIGHER ALSO WATER IS OFF SO OFTEN AND WHEN IT COMES BACK ON YOUR BILL IS THREE TIMES GIGH AND ALL THEY ARE DOING WATER AND SEWRAGE IS CHARGING HIGH RATES ANS TELLING PEOPLE IF YOU DO NOT PAT ALL OF THE BILL YOU WILL NOT GET YOUR WATER RECONNECTED.YES PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY THEIR BILLS BUR THERE IS A LOT OF UN FAIR RATES DONE Y WATER AND SEWRAGE, I KNOW OF A LADY WHO GOT A BILL OF 2050 AND CHANGE AND THE LADY WAS AWAY FROM THE AST SIX MONTHS IN 2017 UNTIL SHE RETURNED IN THE BOTTOM OF 2019 HER WATER EAS LOCKED FROM THAT TIME AND WHEN SHE WENT TO CHECK ON HER BILL EAIRLER 2O20 THAT WAS HER BILL SOME THING IS WRONG SO YOU AS MINISTER NEED TO CHECK WUTH THE DEPARTMENT AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE FACING. aLL THE GOOD WORKERS ARE NOT AT WTER AND SSSSEWRAGE BECAUSE OF PERSONAL AND PUBLIC REASONS I ASUME AND ORGERS GONE TO DIFFRENT DEPARTMENTS BUR YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT THE BUSINESS OF WATER AND SEWRAGE, LORD IF THERE IS A PROBKEM WITH A CUSTOMER DO NOT CUT THE WATER A MONT BY MONTH PAYMENT PLAN CAN BE WORKE OUT AND IF THE PEOPLE DOES NOT PAY ON THEIR BILL THEN CUT IT, tHE PROBLEM TO WHY PEOPLE HAVE HIGH WATER BILLS IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE LEAKS WHICH THEY DONOT KNOW ABOUT UNTIL THEY KNOE AND THERE ARE ALSO LEAKS FROM WATER AND SEWRAGE SIDE BUT ANY WAY CHECK OUT THE DEPARTMENT AND SEE HOW PEOPLE COULD BE HELPED. THANK GOE THAT THE PEOPLE FROM TREASURY IS COLLECTIING THE PAYMENTS ND NOT WAS PERSONELS MINISTER TRY AND HELP PEOPLE YOU NEED SOME ONE WITH TECHONIGICAL EXPERIENCE TO RUN THE DEPARTMENT SOME ONE WHO WJO KNOWS THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS NOT SOME ONE WHO IS IN A LEARNING PROCESS UES WORK IS BEING DONE BUT THE EETYDAY PROCESS OF GETTING GOOD WATER RATES HAS TO BE CORRECT AND NOT A GUESSING GAME
  • Nice! (02/11/2020, 15:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I honestly believe that he will. I like this guy. He is a minister that works. I always see him out in the field of projects. Let me know my X was not wasted. Four more year for Hon. Rhymer for sure.
  • HMMM (02/11/2020, 16:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Been hearing this for the past 20 years
  • We have to do our part (02/11/2020, 16:08) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is no doubt in my mind that the Minister is going to make sure that the work is completed. Now, we as citizen of the East Side we have to also work on improving our community. Don’t you guys want to have the best looking community in TORTOLA? IT IS TIME FOR THE EAST TO HAVE BRAGGING RIGHTS.
  • ELAC (02/11/2020, 16:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    ELECTION WILL BE HELD IN THE NEXT 26 MONTHS AND WE STILL WONT BE ABLE TO FLUSH
    • Youth (03/11/2020, 13:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      We as homeowners are to be blame for the inadequate system because this is going to take some time before it is running effectively. Pump your system when it is full. We have many apartments with inadequate system. We received rent, right? Please do the right thing.
      I blame the government for not putting laws in place. Where are the health inspectors to go around the different homes for check (pump and charge)?
      Let us get our East End Community clean up. Instead of wasting our time on the net, bar, and club. Clean up your surroundings. Let us get our pride back.
  • What I like (02/11/2020, 16:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Minister explained and communicated to the People the process of this project.
  • action (02/11/2020, 17:05) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is the real action man. I'm proud to see this Youngster forging ahead. He will be in council for a long time. 5 district action man.
    • Action Man (03/11/2020, 08:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What about packwood scrubber, what about road town swear plant that is not working? Action Man.
  • Zone 5 (02/11/2020, 17:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rymer is the man he is the new action man but he needs his portfolios back
  • Servant of the Most High God. (02/11/2020, 19:26) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hon. Kye Rymer, The voters in the 5th district elect you leader to represent them. Have you delivered or fulfilled on all your promises to them? Hon. wheatley is the 7th district representative and Deputy Premier. Stop trying tobig yourself up. Did he approved of you to lead in the improvement of the EE/LL sewer problem? Fix your problem district first. Help to remedy the Covid-19 negative effects next. After that help to support, not lead, in fixing other districts needs. You mean well, but respect the higher authority invested in Hon.Suwande Wheatley office. I love you brother, but I cannot nor will I agree with you on this matter. Unity is proof of strength, not disunity. Bloom where you are planted. May God bless your honest efforts
    • @ Servant of the Most High God (02/11/2020, 20:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      even though this project runs through districts 7 and 8, this is a Water and Sewerage project, and last time I checked, it fell under the Ministry of Works, Telecommunications, and Utilities....of which Hon. Kye Rhymer is Minister. by your rationale, I take it Hon. Rhymer should be in charge of everything that has to do with Enid Scatliffe and Althea Scatliffe schools, since they are in district 5, as opposed to Ministry of Education right? let's think before we write please.
    • @Servant (02/11/2020, 20:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Last time i check he is the Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities for THE ENTIRE TERRITORY and the district representative.

      So i guess Sowande will try to fix education and the other roles he has in the seventh district first/only. Smh
    • E I E I O (03/11/2020, 06:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I thought Rymer was the works minister? So I would think projects in all district he would have to deal with
  • E. Leonard (02/11/2020, 20:01) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Here are a few givens. First, the East End/Long Look(EE/LL) community is one of fastest growing community in the VI. Second, the safe collection, conveyance, treatment and discharge of sewage is long over due in the EE/LL community, as well as in other VI communities. Third, the EE/LL community wants to put septic systems behind it and need an effective and operational central sewage system. And finally, proper and safe sewage management is a standard of living, quality of life and a developed country/ first world issue.

    The much delayed EE/LL sewage project relaunched, the project should not be rushed; it must be done right the first time. It must be effectively designed and constructed with the capacity and capability not just for today, the present, but also with the capacity and capability for the full build out of the community. As a minimum, it must be designed so that it can be easily expanded as needed. Though the project is long over due and much needed, its effectiveness and efficiency should not and cannot be slaughtered on the altar of political expediency. Do it right the first time!
    • @E. Leonard (03/11/2020, 07:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      “The much delayed EE/LL sewage project relaunched, the project should not be rushed; it must be done right the first time.” Don’t rush, you say. The EE/LL area has been waiting and needing this project for a long time. The area has grown, septic systems are undersized and raw sewage is running in the street. The situation poses a health risk to residents. It was disappointed when the area reps under the NDP government acquiesced to transferring the appropriated sewage project funds to the Tortola Pier Park project, putting residents health at risk. There is a fierce urgency of now to get this project off out top dead center and rolling.
  • Why have you rewarded ignorance? (02/11/2020, 21:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ Priority: "The eastern community needs some serious attention. This is the first place travellers see when traveling to the VI." The above statements are totally false There are a number of official entry points to the B.V.I. 1.) Terence B. Lettsome Airport. 2.) Roadtown Harbor Jetty. 3.) West End Ferry Dock. 4.) Virgin Gorda Ferry Dock 5.) Jost Van Dyke Ferry Dock, and others. These two false statements, the last time I check, scored 12 like. 0 dislike. That tells me the that false statements are ovewhelmingly acepted far more the true one. It also tells me that the overwhelming majority of B.V.I citizens are willfully ignorant of truth.
  • @Servant of the Most High God (02/11/2020, 21:22) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wow, that was deep.
  • Lets Be Realistic (03/11/2020, 10:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Using petty contracts for Sewerage Works is a colossal waste of time and money. This mistake has been made by three NDP Governments and now Four VIP Governments.

    2) The only way to properly fix the sewerage is to have a wholistic approach to it. Including, budgeting and funding the full amount to complete the works. I would bet my last dollar that in 5 election cycles we have already spent at least 50 million dollars on sewerage with little to show for it.

    3) If we want to split the project to benefit the community, it needs to be split by its component parts, earth works, surveying, engineering, pipe laying, etc.

    4) You cannot give each person a section of XYZ feet to do. We will end up with nothing less than shoddy and disjointed work. Many of our petty contractors are just NOT capable of following design instructions across a spectrum of works, much less the difficulties they make encounter based on site issues. Many of them get the contracts and just subcontract the other person or frankly "***k up" the works.

    5) The project needs proper project management and oversight with competent and experienced sewerage professionals, that have the authority to hold contractors accountable... the accountability cannot be to Ministers and politicians.

    6) This nonsense has to stop. Another 2 million down the drain. Watch and See!!
  • Diaspora 3-D/360 (03/11/2020, 13:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The scatter shot approach employed by both VIP and NDP successive governments in delivering wastewater/sewage services is costly and ineffective. Petty contracts have a place in procuring government services but they are inappropriate and ineffective for a large sewage project. A holistic approach to sewage management is need. Specifically, a qualified and experienced wastewater project construction prime contractor is needed. The prime contractor in turn will hire subcontractors. The prime contractor is responsible for the quality, progress of work, work put in place.....etc wotk consistent with plans and specifications. With a prime contractor, the owner, government, has to deal with only the prime contractor; subcontractors are the responsibility of the prime contractor, though government can have input on subcontractors hired. Petty contractors are not the best management practice on this project.
  • Servant of the Most High God (03/11/2020, 18:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    In no way I mean to belittle Hon. Kye, but he is junior under two senior Ministers name: Hon. Andrew Fahie, Premier, and Hon. Suwande Wheatley. He Hon. Kye cannot accomplished any of his Ministrial duties without their approval. It is not an I will do this and that, but we hope to do this and that. Does a cat tail wags the cat, or the cat wags its taik. Under servant must learn to big up their superior, so that their superior will in turn big the up. It is in this order, the leader pulls up. The train engine pulls the rest of the carrage where it is headed. Got it? Righteous exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. May God help us all.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.