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Hon Vincent O. Wheatley visits Pockwood Pond incinerator & landfill site

- Health Minister says waste management is top priority
Emphasising that waste management is a top priority for Government, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), 2nd from right, visited the incinerator and landfill site at Pockwood Pond on his second official day in office, May 2, 2023. Right is Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Dr the Hon Karl Dawson, who is also the First District Representative. Photo: Facebook
The Pockwood Pond landfill site continues to be plagued by numerous uncontrollable fires over the years and has thus resulted in heightened complaints from residents in its surrounding environs. Photo: VINO/File
The Pockwood Pond landfill site continues to be plagued by numerous uncontrollable fires over the years and has thus resulted in heightened complaints from residents in its surrounding environs. Photo: VINO/File
Affected residents, particularly in the First District, have attributed certain illnesses, including cancer, to the open burning activities at the Pockwood Pond landfill. Photo: Facebook/File
Affected residents, particularly in the First District, have attributed certain illnesses, including cancer, to the open burning activities at the Pockwood Pond landfill. Photo: Facebook/File
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI- Emphasising that waste management is a top priority for Government, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) visited the incinerator and landfill site at Pockwood Pond on his second official day in office, May 2, 2023.

The site continues to be plagued by numerous uncontrollable fires over the years and has thus resulted in heightened complaints from residents in its surrounding environs.

Affected residents, particularly in the First District, have attributed certain illnesses, including cancer, to the open burning activities.

'Waste Management is a priority'- Hon Wheatley

In a social media post made via his personal Facebook page, Hon Wheatley shared that he is taking a hands-on approach to the situation.

“If you know me then you know that I am hands-on, first trip to the incinerator, second day on the job. Waste Management is a priority for this Government,” he said.

Hon Wheatley was accompanied on the site visit by Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Dr the Hon Karl Dawson, who is also the First District Representative.

Following two of the most recent intense and uncontrollable fires at the location, affected residents of the First District staged a protest at the House of Assembly on April 17, 2023.

Additionally, on April 20, 2023, residents of the District started a petition on change.org demanding a speedy solution to the constant landfill fires.

Petition launched

The petition has so far managed to garner 775 signatures.

The petition highlighted that the “highly toxic chemicals” produced by the open burning activities affect agriculture and livestock by settling on crops, ending up in cistern water, water table, beaches and waterways which eventually end up in food, on skin and body, thereby affecting overall health.

The BVI Cancer Society had also joined the struggle against open burning at the site noting that the toxic fumes have a potential impact on the overall health and well-being of residents.

Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Candidate Sylvia C. Romney- Moses had indicated during a political debate on April 18, 2023, that the issue of open burning was responsible for residents developing cancer.

Then Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) had apologised to residents following the protest, while noting that a cheque was sent to order a control panel for the incinerator which was damaged by fire since 2021.

Hon Penn; However, had failed to give a timeline as to when the issue would be resolved.

Hon Penn had also shut down a proposed plan by former Health Minister Carvin Malone for mini incinerators to tackle the current waste management issues, as he referred to the initiative as ‘nonsense’.

27 Responses to “Hon Vincent O. Wheatley visits Pockwood Pond incinerator & landfill site”

  • Real (03/05/2023, 15:45) Like (37) Dislike (41) Reply
    So he's an expert on incinerators now? I don't see any professionals accompanying him. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
    • @Real (03/05/2023, 15:55) Like (36) Dislike (27) Reply
      Stu he have his part to play !
      Wtf can you do
      4more years you all haters will be seeing team vip
      And then 4more years to come
      2027 is a clear win !
      Do your part hon. The official will come when you relates to them think we have money to waste to have them come without we answering questions if needs be !
  • West side (03/05/2023, 15:53) Like (67) Dislike (13) Reply
    We want action not photo oop
    • COOL SAT (03/05/2023, 17:01) Like (35) Dislike (16) Reply
      U all too dark stupid and have no sense.
      That's why LORNA IS IN VIPCORNER
      ALL YOU TEK THAT AND SMOKE IT FOR A LOOOOG TIME

      YOU HATERS
    • @ west sidee (03/05/2023, 20:41) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
      Go Netflix ,tick toc , and other medias that you could control if you want action
      We not gonna be intimidated by you all wana be ministers and Hon. next election go make your self available and then you will understand the real deal
      Go team vip I want see pictures in everything you all do cause they always say my team vip don’t so nothing
  • Capt (03/05/2023, 16:07) Like (37) Dislike (3) Reply
    I mean some ah we really sickening how you want the man solve ah problem if he don’t go see what’s going on you have to see wa going on first you just want them call people an can’t explain what you need done
  • Another photo op! (03/05/2023, 16:21) Like (16) Dislike (24) Reply
    All this man does is take photos to upload on facebook. We want solutions for the problems and not photos to say you were there on the scene. The more things change the more they remain the same.
    • @ Another photo ops (03/05/2023, 20:44) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
      These are for the record when ayo say we didn’t do nothing
      You all so dumb this apart of politics
      • @@Another photo ops (04/05/2023, 06:43) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
        If you take a picture looking at a rock does that mean you moved the rock? Don’t let that go over your head. Stop calling people dumb.
  • herbs power (03/05/2023, 16:37) Like (28) Dislike (15) Reply
    He gone in the middle of garbage in a 3 peace suit in this hot sun. Y'all kind of people lost from reality mehbwoy.
    • @ herbs power (03/05/2023, 20:49) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
      Stop smoking them herbs
      You wanted him to go in overall ,big boosts and tam
      Ok ,donate all the gears and others never know he was to show up in torn clothes he have to return to his office and other meetings
      You think these ministers life is east it’s not enough hours in a day for them !
  • P.T. (03/05/2023, 16:58) Like (34) Dislike (6) Reply
    Where Frazer? That's his district.
  • and (03/05/2023, 17:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    And,look,why,don,t tell me you never saw smoke coming out of there.
  • Ayo could complain sa!! (03/05/2023, 18:10) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    He showed up, he didn't say he would and don't show up, he is there in a suit on site and ayo STILL find SOMETHING to complain about. Let's see what happens next nuh OMG!!
  • 9th district calling (03/05/2023, 19:29) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    out ya name sir. Anegada is small, we need you to bring your suit this way too. Only 1 person employed for solid waste, garbage everywhere. nobody hired for recreations trust, garbage everywhere. Govt buildings with no fencing including three under health ministry: Centre, Clinic and Cemetery... 3 cs.... please!! Come this way. You know who has the info. Come get it and take action in your district. The time is now
  • 2 district (03/05/2023, 19:51) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope he visit the chicken coop in Garden Bay. Residents cannot catch their breath much less to upon their windows.
  • Youth (03/05/2023, 20:37) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    If he did not show up and show his concern as the new Minister for the subject then all of you would be negatively commenting about him. He did it yet some of you are still on his case. Marlon canceled the incinerator order so just put back in the order 911 and let's move forward. Thanks for showing interest as one of your first order of business.
  • johnny (03/05/2023, 21:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    That the man suit if he want to burn up in it let he burn up
  • tribeca (03/05/2023, 21:55) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Expecting him to know the ins & outs of a years old problem on day 1 is a bit much to ask anybody. Maybe we should let him get updated and access the situation first then come up with a plan of action.
  • NPolitico (03/05/2023, 22:00) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok, photo ops on business attire is one thing but what is a) the short -term plan, b) long/term plan, c) monitoring of residents help, d) declaring a solid waste crisis, e) creating a robust recycling programming, etc. This a serious issue and not time for any fashion nonsense. Get serious!!!
    • NPolitico (04/05/2023, 07:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

      Health, not help. Well, residents need protection and help. Residents need baseline health screening and put on a periodic monitoring plan. Ideally, health should be led by someone with medical experience. This is one of the flaws of the Westminister system, working with those elected, not necessarily the best suited, putting a live body in a slot and expecting magical outcomes. What do legislators do? They don’t draft legislation, they don’t read draft legislation, some are lost in ministerial assignment(s), the debates in HoA are often lacking form an substance, etc. Ministers need help. I read in another blog on Permanent Secretaries( PS), the most senior civil servants, are accounting officers and administrators, not subject matter experts. What the $....

  • Ken P (04/05/2023, 02:34) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Good day, I think it is time for the Virgin Islands to have the garbage collection and disposal separated. Each home should be provided with bins which they will pay a small fee for, one each for recycle, food waste, general waste or no recycling and garden waste if possible then the different trucks will come to collect right now everything is put together and that is a big part of the problem. The incinerator will always give problem burning clothes, plastic, food, recyclables etc
  • resident (04/05/2023, 08:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    more pics that will do nothing
  • Safety Practice (04/05/2023, 08:58) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    This guuide gone to a construction site/industrial facility in business attire, ie, no hard hat, no safety shoes, eye protection, etc. Set the damn personal example. If the workers see the minister doing the right thing they will follow. Safety matters, saves lives, avoid injuries, lowers operating cost. Practice safety whether at the landfill, hospital, medical clinic, etc. Live it, breathe it, do it.
  • Without a doubt (04/05/2023, 09:06) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    this minister was the best dressed man at the PP dump on Tues. 2 May and all ready for his staged photo op!
  • Yes (04/05/2023, 13:32) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I never see and know we were so hate full in this place and shallow minded ...jesus help us we say why he was elected he dont do anything...
    We hsve huge problem he has gone to see how his gover.ment will tackle such situstion..you all condem...
    Tell me what we realy want..all you who condeming go get alife and fix your gabage going fron your house and it wont be like this
    Set ta waste....marlon cancel the machinery not a word of condem.......people like you will cause a plauge to come our shores idiots



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