‘I apologise to the people of the First District’- Hon Penn on landfill fires
Landfill fires at Pockwood Pond can be seen almost daily; however, the smoke was particularly heavy last night and this morning, prompting residents to take action demanding an urgent address of the matter.
Next time ‘we are going to cause havoc’- Irate D1 resident
“We cannot nor will we accept what happened last night and this morning again. It’s going to be a lot more of us out here and we are going to cause havoc. This is our health we are talking about and it cannot continue,” a resident, who described the situation as “horrible”, told Hon Penn outside the House of Assembly this morning.
The same woman, who said she lives on Zion Hill, related that when she went outside of her home this morning she could not even see Carrot Bay due to the amount of smoke. “My throat is still sounding scratchy.”
‘Unfortunate what happened this weekend’- Hon Penn
Hon Penn said it was unfortunate what happened this weekend as a site coordinator was contracted to manage the process at the landfill.
“Over the weekend, what happened, someone went unauthorised, went up and dumped waste on the site, and the coordinator wasn’t there to advise where to dump, how to dump et cetera,” Hon Penn stated as the cause of the latest fire.
Control panel being purchased
The Health Minister also said the Government on Friday sent a cheque to get a control panel for the incinerator, which has been down since February 2021, due to a fire.
He also said Government has been working on a comprehensive plan to permanently fix the problem of garbage disposal and incineration.
“We are at the final stages for this and I will do whatever I can do within this intervening time to get it done, but when I go back to the House I’m going to work tirelessly…” Hon Penn stated, adding that it is not only a First District problem but one that affects the entire territory.
‘I apologise’- Hon Penn
“Again, I apologise to the people of the First District.”
Meanwhile, the residents demanded that the fire be put out as they were not prepared to go another day or night with the smoke; however, Hon Penn said he couldn’t say for sure what could be done, but assured them that a team was on the ground trying to mitigate as best as they can.
Hon Penn also shared with the residents that a new incineration plant has been sourced as a backup plant. “We are in the process of getting an additional plant for redundancy, so you will have two. You will have one there working, and one is going to be there for redundancy.”
Residents also said there should have been regular communication with the First District regarding the plans and progress for the incinerator.
Hon Penn said lots of updates were given in the HoA but agreed that there should have been direct communication with the affected residents.
Among the residents who turned up to protest at the HoA today were Virgin Islands Party (VIP) First District Candidate Dr Karl Dawson and Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) First District Candidate Sylvia C. Romney-Moses and PVIM At Large Candidate Shaina M. Smith-Archer.
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45 Responses to “‘I apologise to the people of the First District’- Hon Penn on landfill fires”
Why over two years to buy a control panel while the residents of West End have to live with the smoke of open burning.
fi gers crossed this is going to happen...how long will it take to get the new one installed, what is its capacity, ??? details please
You all keep playing with fire (literally). Government after government have reports on this concern and still taking these stupid risks of burning right above fuel tanks. How stupid and idiotic or you all just dont care or both??
First, that smoke is incredibly toxic and it is affecting every resident down wind of the dump including West, Capoons, Carrot, Long Bay and yes, even the USVI who at one time had a court case against us for poisoning their air.
That's what it is. We are mindlessly putting cancerous fumes over a good portion of our residents and visitors.
And most people don't care! Those who came and protest should be proud. At last they are making this issue visible.
What can a small island do with its waste? I don't know but we need to look at the options and make a plan for the next X number of years. It has to include recycling, and reducing our consumption of plastics.
These aren't stupid white man things, you know. The air we breathe is the first most important thing we have. The life systems of the planet - in the air and the sea and the land we live on - are our systems that keep us alive.
Wake up BVI!
THE PROBLEM IS THE GARBAGE IS NOT BEING SEPERATED. STOP BURNING ELECTRONICS, TIRES, COMPUTERS, ETC. THEY ARE HAZARDOUS AND CAUSING CANCER IN OUR BODIES! THATS THE MAIN ISSUE!
nd or islet for dumping.. landfill.Barges sailing garbage off Tortola to a land fill which in time becomes a functional island for whatever.. the scope of irresponsible garbage dumping in these VI is frankly reprehensible ,a crime . I am of the opinion that these VI are not equipped with the moral fortitude to govern itself. Nothing functions or works...everything half ash and bs talk. Truth is scarce.Very very sad and unfortunate.
that matter is almost 30 years; administrations in and administration out no one cares: that matter is very serious and all we get are excuse after excuse: no action no action(vote day is here and once again talk shop while west side folks have to endure those hazardous fumes
what about home affairs, foreign affairs is given top priority- we needs leadership that will put home affairs as a priority(no daily street water: public highways need proper fixing: that list goes on