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New privately owned asphalt plant arrives in VI

- the plant is owned by M. Ashley Ritter of Tortola Paving Ltd.
The new asphalt plant brought by local businessman Mr M. Ashley Ritter of Tortola Paving Limited arrived on Tortola last week. Photo: VINO
The investment on the asphalt plant, with American specifications, is close to $1M USD. Photo: VINO
The investment on the asphalt plant, with American specifications, is close to $1M USD. Photo: VINO
The asphalt plant has a capacity of 160 tons per hour and is operated by 4 persons. Photo: VINO
The asphalt plant has a capacity of 160 tons per hour and is operated by 4 persons. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Government of the day has not had a working asphalt plant for paving of roads for well over three years. The one they purchased under the current Government, with Chinese specifications, broke down and still has not been repaired.

They have been using one from Tortola Paving Ltd, owned by local businessman M. Ashley Ritter.

The National Democratic Party (NDP) Government promised the people, following the 2015 snap elections, to pave some 8 to 10 miles of roads per year; however, with their new Chinese purchased asphalt plant, they paved less than 5 miles.

New privately owned asphalt plant

Mr Ritter of Tortola Paving Limited has invested in a new American specs asphalt plant that arrived on Tortola last week. His investment is close to $1M USD and he told our newsroom that Government has not approached him about using his new asphalt plant.

The plant, which is of high quality, has a capacity of 160 tons per hour and will be operated by 4 persons.

It is our newsroom's understanding that the NDP Administration is again seeking to purchase another new asphalt plant, despite a brand new one being on island. This is also after spending huge sums on the dysfunctional Chinese made asphalt plant.

29 Responses to “New privately owned asphalt plant arrives in VI”

  • tola (19/01/2018, 10:49) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is why PWD is non effective and Tortola Government is broke not to mention where Government asphalt plant is located is a major conflict of interest.
  • Bvi weak (19/01/2018, 11:01) Like (34) Dislike (4) Reply
    I hope the UK come in and take over this country before they send us all to the poor house.
  • commenter (19/01/2018, 11:03) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    It's not my phalt, mon.
  • Z6 (19/01/2018, 11:12) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good job Mr. Ritter.. Show the NDP that they not Ready for 2018!!
  • ronnie (19/01/2018, 11:19) Like (50) Dislike (1) Reply
    to be correct the new purchase will be the 3rd Chinese Ashphalt plant, 1st one was no good 2nd one was destroyed by Irma which is placed on Skelton property by the Quarry, both Plants never worked a month consistantly because of the Chinese inferior product and the Government continue to use Ronnie Chinese link to put money into his pockets and cost about the same price as Ashley Ritter own. PLEASE SEND THEM TO JAIL.
    • big girl (22/01/2018, 01:34) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      We the People must decide differently. This has to happen, as a Change, it is needed.
  • one eye (19/01/2018, 11:51) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    If they buying a new one somebody getting a fat cheque under the table
  • Engineer (19/01/2018, 11:57) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are we as a country sure we want to use asphalt AGAIN!! Look at our roads before and after Irmaria!! New plant does not make a difference if the engineering is incorrect and the asphalt not mixed properly! SMDH!
  • Geet (19/01/2018, 12:53) Like (10) Dislike (12) Reply
    Government shouldn't be obligated to use any private contractor for anything. If it was Crabbe that bought this machine would the news story be the same? This place is really sickening with the foolish one-sided politicking.
    • @ greet (19/01/2018, 22:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Are you kidding me? Here's the golden opportunity for the broke government to save some money. For the good of we poor tax payers, No question.
  • wize up (19/01/2018, 12:55) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    NDP actually means Friends & Family: so what is purpose of PWD?
  • BVI STRONG (19/01/2018, 13:05) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr Ritter you did a good job helping to clean up for free after the hurricanes you love your country white head.

    Now a guy like you deserved an OBE
    • yah think (19/01/2018, 17:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      For free you say he got paid from the white house don't be fooled how you think he run quick to buy a plant!!!!!
  • diuck (19/01/2018, 13:22) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    @ Ronnie the 2nd asphalt plant was working for more than three months, the flood kicked it out and it came back for a while until Irma took it out completely. we as citizens of this country needs to stop. Old people has a saying that goes like this " If you can do better go ahead and do it. If you cant Shut your %%&&*trap Shut"
  • Paraman dem/Liu Kang (19/01/2018, 13:25) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
    We can get it cheaper.....2 for 1 and throw in some steel - contact me via alibaba... or visit store today.....this American plant no good ours better....
  • Street Reporter. Rita a good man (19/01/2018, 13:52) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Everybody talks good about him. They say he is the best Landlord and that he is a good hearted man that loves people no matter where they from. We have to Remember he is still a bisiness man..
  • Observer (19/01/2018, 14:06) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have been to countries and observed how they construct their roads. The surface is graded and the dirt surface is pressed with a heavy roller. The prepared surface is then coated with pitch. Different grades of stone is laid and then pressed. Pitch is then poured then gravel is laid and the process is repeated until a solid foundation is formed. Layers of asphalt is laid until it is solid. It is then rolled until the surface is hard and smooth. Sound expensive and like alot of work but believe me, these roads last for years before any repair is done. We are still at the first stage we pressed our dirt surface then add asphalt and our day is done. Given our soil here, as soon as it rains or one of our large trucks roll over it a couple times, the soil slips since the asphalt has no foundation thus we move from pothole to total destruction of the road. It doesn't matter how many asphalt machine we bring into this country, or who own them, without proper engineering which of course must include proper drainage, these machine would be useless.
    • RealPol (19/01/2018, 23:39) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Observer, real habla. You and other bloggers have been driving home the proper process but no one is listening. PWD should be skilled at road building, repair and maintenance. Training and education is available on road design, construction and maintenance. If it is too expensive to send employees overseas, the training can be imported, including training the trainer(s). It is disappointing the PWD is not a better effective and functioning organization. If it cannot be turned around, perhaps the services should be outsourced. The Premier, MCW and Director of PWD need to have a serious conversation. The outcome of that meeting should be reasonable expectations of service delivery. If the expectations are not attained, then other actions should be taken.

  • Wellsah (19/01/2018, 14:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    And they want Chinese to build airport.. Only BViS government... Lord help us your children.
  • answer (19/01/2018, 14:37) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bring in a company with global expertise and track records of engineering and building proper roads. Put a contract document together with proper bonding requirements and have them manage the project, utilizing local labor and equipment where possible. The local contractors can work alongside these people and learn the proper way engineer and construct the roadways. Our road infrastructure should not be dealt with based on emotions right now, we need to admit we have been getting it wrong for decades and it's time for a change. We just borrowed $16 mil from SSB and it's done, but where was it spent?
  • bad minded (19/01/2018, 14:42) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    They will rather waste tax payers money than give white head some work
  • wize up (19/01/2018, 17:10) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I see another BVI Airways plot in the making(talk that)....political strategy!!!!
  • Don’t believe it (19/01/2018, 17:28) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
    I don’t believe someone would spend that kind of money if they weren’t approached by the government to do the job. Something doesn’t sound right here.
  • Observer (19/01/2018, 17:40) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    good job whitehead hope you don't used your trucks to transport the asphalt and hire the local trucks to transport the asphalt and other road base materials when the road rebuilding process starts
  • Socrates (19/01/2018, 18:48) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Who is the biggest user of asphalt in the territory? Government. Does anyone buy that an investor would invest a $1M on an asphalt plant without any guarantee from government? Was this purchase a replacement of an existing plant? Or an anticipated gamble for the increasing demand for asphalt? How much asphalt does the private sector demand? Any bets that Tortola Paving Ltd will be receiving a big contract(s) soon; it is all good; he is the only game in town. Is Tortola Paving Ltd forte just laying down asphalt? Does it shoot grades to establish proper cross slopes to attain positive drainage, avoiding ponding? Will a new plant improve road quality, rideability, reduced potholes, extend road life.......etc? Will road design, construction, maintenance.........etc improve? What is the status of government asphalt plant(s)? When and if government procure a new plant(s) will there be excess capacity in the territory?
  • pat (19/01/2018, 22:23) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    If it wasn't for the consequences to innocent workers at PWD I'd say shut down that department just to stick it in the eyes of the wasteful gang call the NDP Clown.
  • The TRUTH (20/01/2018, 01:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    God bless we have a man like Mr Ritter...he and his team cleaned up after both hurricane (FOR FREE) They did more work than the government agencies did by far.We need to name the road from Pock Wood Pond to West End the “ AR Dive” (Ashley Ritter Drive) They cleaned that road a million times & still cleaning
  • Tax Payer (20/01/2018, 11:55) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The CIA and Scotland Yard should work to help this government to collapse under its own weight of irresponsibility. The best thing that can happen, perhaps, is for it to crash and burn.

    How the hell they are looking to buy a new Asphalt plant after wasting money for the pass 4 years on Chinese plants that worked for less than a year????


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