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Hon. Vanterpool: It’s time to solve VI’s problems

- says Government is working to reduce country’s dependence on fossil fuels, Cruiseship land site plan would be up for public discussion
Plan for the extension of the Cruise Ship Pier will be revealed to the public in the next 90 days for discussion, said Hon. Vanterpool. Photo: tortolacharters.com
Hon. Vanterpool said the government will create solutions to fix VI’s problems in creating alternative energy. Photo: HOA
Hon. Vanterpool said the government will create solutions to fix VI’s problems in creating alternative energy. Photo: HOA
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool stated that the Government, through his Ministry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, will be looking closely for ideas on how they can conserve and create alternative energy within the Virgin Islands (VI) and to include the public on decisions that are to be made pertaining to the cruiseship land site development in Road Town.

Hon. Vanterpool was at the time speaking in Virgin Gorda, on May 18, 2012 at the official opening of the Gun Creek Port of Entry.

The Minister disclosed that in the future, it is the Government’s intention to solarise every government building in the VI.

“The heat enjoyed by Virgin Islanders can be harnessed and used to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and ensure that the territory can begin to reduce the 30-50 million ...that is being put before us over the next several years and try to reduce it to almost nil as a territory .”

He stated that along with government, a campaign introduced by his Ministry will be encouraging the people of the VI to find any possible way to hopefully and eventually reduce the dependence of fossil fuels by 30 percent over the next three years.

“Hopefully over a short time we can do our part to save the world and do our part to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels and be able in our own pockets to save more as we reduce our demands on energy from fossil fuels energy.”

The District Four representative informed the public that in efforts to encourage the people of the Virgin Islands to save fuel, reduce their dependency on fossil fuels and promote the conservation of energy, the BVI Electricity Corporation will be launching a day dubbed as ‘Energy Day’ on June 1, 2012.

Public to be involved in Cruiseship land site development plans

Meanwhile, Vanterpool stated that in the next 90 days, the plans in relation to the cruiseship land site development will be revealed to the public for their discussions.

He added that work is expected to start on the extension of the Cruiseship Pier over the next six months.

Hon. Vanterpool noted that the improvement and development on the ports of entry on each of the islands in the VI are essential to the country’s economic recovery, long term sustainability and security.

“This is important for us and the Premier has asked me to move at a moderate pace to ensure that the economic recovery and development plan for the territory can get on speed with whatever we have to do in our ministry as well as other ministries as they do their part to ensure that we can begin a quick recovery of the territory’s economy and look forward to returning sustainability in the country.”

8 Responses to “Hon. Vanterpool: It’s time to solve VI’s problems”

  • john public (21/05/2012, 08:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    pure old talk
    • bed time stories (21/05/2012, 09:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      for real they tink they going spend four years just spining things and everyday some silly press release and when you look nothing there..we did not go to night school..enough of the chatter its almost 8 months get something done ACTION MAN !!!
  • Ha Ha (21/05/2012, 09:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You can start by amending the Energy Laws to allow citizens to source energy from elsewhere besides BVI Electricity Corp. After that is done, there need to be public education on the alternative sources of energy and what is attainable, affordable and sustainable for the average citizen "small man". Further to that it would be wise to introduce some tax incentives (like duty free imports on all alternative energy equipment and related accessories)
  • taxpayer (21/05/2012, 10:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    One way of securing the money that is needed to get the Cruiseship land site going is to put the local ferry/ cargo boat owners on notice that ALL commercial operators are required to pay harbour dues. Why should we {foreign operators} be required to pay when others are excused. Presently there are not fewer than six cargo boats tied up at Port Percell damaging the dock but not paying a darn penney. Something smells here.
  • oh boy (21/05/2012, 13:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    action man is loosing his name fast load of talk and no action!!!
  • kevin (21/05/2012, 15:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mark got 15 million to spend now look trouble for me...PAC get ready to invertigate....
  • game on (26/06/2012, 08:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    when u rush thats when mistakes are made....judge them after 4 years, not 4 month please allow the people to do their work. Its ironic how you never had a voice with the previous party and would would have never entertained you. At least this minister had the B*$lls to come out and say he is going to do this. Anyone in their right frame of mind would never set themselves up to fail. So please lets wait let the laws and amendments be passed and what was promised will happen...give the ppl dem a chance to push their initatives for the country.


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