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‘I am proud of the progress we have made since 2017’ hurricanes- Premier Wheatley

Then and now: The [British] Virgin Islands has been rebuilding almost singlehandedly since the destruction of Hurricane Ira in September 2017. Photo: VINO/Internet Source
 Taking stock of the road to recovery from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said he is proud of the progress the Virgin Islands (VI) has made. Photo: GIS/File
Taking stock of the road to recovery from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said he is proud of the progress the Virgin Islands (VI) has made. Photo: GIS/File
Hurricane Irma had ravaged the Virgin Islands on September 6, 2017, leaving four dead. Photo: VINO/File
Hurricane Irma had ravaged the Virgin Islands on September 6, 2017, leaving four dead. Photo: VINO/File
This section of Elmore Stoutt High School was also destroyed by Hurricane Irma but since rebuilt (left). Photo: VINO/File
This section of Elmore Stoutt High School was also destroyed by Hurricane Irma but since rebuilt (left). Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Taking stock of the road to recovery from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said he is proud of the progress the Virgin Islands (VI) has made.

Hurricane Irma in particular had ravaged the VI on September 6, 2017, leaving four dead.

The VI’s recovery has been mainly due to its own efforts, since it has not been able to take any major loans for recovery due to the reported “trappings” of the loan guarantee offered by the United Kingdom (UK).

Hurricane recovery

In his 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Message on June 1, 2022, Dr Wheatley said close collaboration between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) brought the territory a number of redeveloped roads and public buildings from Anegada to Jost van Dyke.

“The full list is long, but I would highlight the works done at the Road Town Police Station, repairs to administration buildings on all sister islands, BVI Fire and Rescue Services Headquarters, the Ballast Bay and Little Dix Hill roads, as well as the improved water reservoirs at Carrot Bay and Long Bush.

“I would also highlight numerous recovery projects that are ongoing, again in partnership with local authorities, international funders, and local private contractors, including a new National Emergency Operations Centre, a redeveloped Fish Bay road, a new Market Square in Road Town and the rapidly progressing Elmore Stoutt High School.”

Dr Wheatley added that working closely with the European Union and PAHO have meant that key community centres on Anegada that also serve as emergency shelters have been repaired to a high standard and will soon be handed over.

Tourism & Financial Services played crucial role

“Of course, recovery would not be possible without the strong backing of our local economic pillars of tourism and financial services. Despite the lingering effects of the pandemic and other uncertainty in our Territory, both these sectors have showed signs of strengthening this year. As global restrictions ease, I look forward to even greater growth in these key areas.”

Premier Wheatley said the VI people should take pride that they have not only survived that unprecedented impact, but came through it wiser and stronger and “we are working together to have truly built back a better Virgin Islands.”

Be prepared!

The Premier also urged the VI to be prepared for anything this hurricane season.

“While forecasters advise us to brace for a busier than average season, as the people of the Virgin Islands already well know, it only takes one storm to impact us and therefore, we must be prepared.”

He said now is the time to review and update emergency plans and emergency supply kits.

Dr Wheatley also said now is when persons should take steps to protect property by inspecting structures, shoring up homes and businesses where needed, and removing hazards from around the exterior.

“For those who are able, now is also the time to identify vulnerable members of our extended families or villages to see what assistance may be needed. If we find ourselves in need this season, please let’s reach out to employers, neighbours, friends and family members to make a plan for how we might best be able weather a possible storm.”

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30, although hurricanes have occurred outside of this period.

19 Responses to “‘I am proud of the progress we have made since 2017’ hurricanes- Premier Wheatley”

  • Yup (02/06/2022, 10:03) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    Give me a break about what you proud of and stop selling our country. For a man who shared views of a activist for his people you sure ain’t showing us sh…….
  • bless (02/06/2022, 10:05) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    I sure ain’t proud of you as our premier. Sell out !!!!!
  • Windy (02/06/2022, 10:08) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    We need elections
    • Rubber Duck (03/06/2022, 10:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      We need prosecutions, jailings and bans for life from office for the collection of deadbeats and self servers that compose the government.
  • salty (02/06/2022, 10:19) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    We survived the damage done by HURRICANE VIP
  • trevor (02/06/2022, 10:24) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    This man so far behind he thinks he is ahead.
    Our recovery is an embarrassment and the coi has revealed why.
  • Ho,ho (02/06/2022, 10:25) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have a look around sea cow bay,you might change your mind.
    Sunken boat every where
    • @Ho,ho (02/06/2022, 11:59) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sea Cows Bay look like a ghetto. My property value is slowly dipping.
  • SCB (02/06/2022, 10:38) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    It seems to me that almost all the post-Irma rebuild was done by the private sector; mostly deep pockets and insurance money. The government was largely absent. The failure to rebuild the ESHS in a timely manner is a crime against the youths of the BVI and our collective futures.
  • Seriously (02/06/2022, 10:45) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply

    This country has gone to sh**!

  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (02/06/2022, 11:17) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply

    Hon. Premier Dr. Natalio Sajande Wheatley, some of the progress happened under the leadership of the NDP Administration. Remember that VIP only regained power February 25, 2019.
    The two hurricanes, namely, Irma, and Maria strucked us September 2017.
    Now that you are proud of progress made after those two desastrous storms, be also proud of the NDP contributions. Be fairminded.
    (Like or dislike)

  • Nincumpoop (02/06/2022, 11:25) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can they get off Ima and start to demonstrate how they are actually better prepared now? No, because nincumpoops do not have any capacity to evolve and to talk sense. Only to harp on about historical news and to paint pretentious, convoluted accounts of faux-progression that really only speaks to the incompetence of the bunch of them!
  • Winky (02/06/2022, 11:38) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    You must be joking. This place is a DUMP !!!!
  • WOW (02/06/2022, 12:45) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    All the progress has been atributes to NDP. Now you say you are proud of it. What next. As the VIP has spend the last 3 years blaming NDP for all the progress you speak.

    Aint that interesting.
  • Rubber Duck (02/06/2022, 15:40) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is there any? The private sector have responded pretty well with rebuilt office buildings, homes, restaurants, hotels and so on. The government contribution is a disaster. Central Admin Complex, the High School, West End Ferry Terminal, the roads, the water sysyem, the sewage system, the waste system and the incinerator, all remain disaster areas.

    Fat Albert and his gang were more interested in lining their own pockets than putting the country right. I see no change.
  • Really (02/06/2022, 16:50) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    Are you proud that you all are paying thousands in tax payers money in rent? Are you proud that you all have not build the high school? Why lie and say it the Elmo stout high school when it not that high school but it's technical high school. Are you proud that still up to this day carrot bay primary school is still not built after Irma?Are you proud that it has no after school program or a program for kids to get extra help? Are you proud that the island only develop on bars,and restaurants? I
    don't see what your proud of because the road money was stolen and the roads are still not fix. You have nothing to be proud of you all are pathetic VIP and ndp. Im ready for the UK you all bank accounts are big thats all your proud about. All of the parties rip off the people all even your dirty self
  • musa (02/06/2022, 20:23) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    We survived
  • Insight (03/06/2022, 07:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    what progress this man talking about meh son. Aesthetically the place is like slum.The private sector did more than the ndp and vip combine. BVI people are not getting value for money case in point - the one million elevator.
  • builder (03/06/2022, 14:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The private sector invested in insurance and built better after Irmaria. The public sector, led by incompetence and corruption, failed to insure, failed to plan and squandered the country's resources. It is a national disgrace that our schools, roads, water, refuse services, etc. are in such a dire state after all the money that the BVI has gained over the years. For the Premier to say that he is proud of the things that are still not fixed almost five years after the storms means that he is blind and ignorant. God save us from the fools running our country.


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