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Pumps procured to ease water woes faced by Paraquita Bay farmers- Premier

Government has moved a step closer to resolving the persistent water challenges faced by farmers at Paraquita Bay, as water pumps to be assigned to the wells in the community have now been procured. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), made the disclosure of the water pumps being procured while speaking at the opening ceremony of Farmers and Fishers Week 2023, held at Paraquita Bay on March 19, 2023. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), made the disclosure of the water pumps being procured while speaking at the opening ceremony of Farmers and Fishers Week 2023, held at Paraquita Bay on March 19, 2023. Photo: Facebook
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI- Government has moved a step closer to resolving the persistent water challenges faced by farmers at Paraquita Bay, as water pumps to be assigned to the wells in the community have now been procured.

This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), who made the disclosure while giving remarks at the opening ceremony of Farmers and Fishers Week 2023, held at the exhibition grounds at Paraquita Bay on March 19, 2023.

The Premier, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, was at the time outlining numerous steps made by government to improve the livelihood of farmers in the area who have been plagued by water shortages and inaccessibility.

'Thank God the pumps have now been procured'

“We also have the question of water. Water has been a concern for the farmers for many years; and certainly we have procured something that we have been speaking about and we’ve moved on it now. Getting pumps for the wells.

“Again, it is something that I would have liked to have see happen before, but thank God that the pumps have now been procured and we have moved forward. We can move forward with making water available to farmers through the wells”, Hon Wheatley said.

Additionally, the Premier noted that a reservoir will be placed on the hill near the exhibition grounds location, to assist farmers, and perhaps at some point another will be placed on the opposite hill of the valley.

Project handed over to RDA

This too, he noted, has been handed over to the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA).

“They [RDA] have at least two hundred thousand dollars to get them started. And in short order you’ll see us going through the procurement process to getting that reservoir on the hill and providing the water and gravity feeding it down to the farmers,” Hon Wheatley said.

The Premier had indicated during a press conference on August 26, 2022 that the House of Assembly will approve a Supplementary Appropriation Bill (SAP) to fund a reservoir at Paraquita Bay and equipment to pump water from the wells in an effort to improve farmers’ access to water as a means of enhancing farming and food security.

Dr Wheatley and team had at the time determined that the construction of a reservoir was the most sustainable resolve to the water challenge.

He had also pointed to formalising the land leasing process for farmers in the area as another important step in advancing agriculture.

11 Responses to “Pumps procured to ease water woes faced by Paraquita Bay farmers- Premier”

  • Too little, too late (21/03/2023, 16:40) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yow son; you a dollar short and a day late….the farmers thank you for not doing much during your tenure and will repeal the GREEDY BILL! You ain’t collecting our hard earned income to support your nasty behavior! Crystals open yet for you….?
  • This liar (21/03/2023, 16:42) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    And he didn't lift a stroke
  • flash back (21/03/2023, 17:06) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is amazing just be an election things mysteriously gets repaired in the territory
  • Bumble Bee (21/03/2023, 17:11) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Talking season. ????????
  • Over de hill (21/03/2023, 17:23) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    That lonetic who sell by the craft alive will still be unhappy lord have mercy on her
  • Thank who? (21/03/2023, 18:27) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    “We also have the question of water”
    This guy can not be serious! There is no water in the BVI 6+ Months a year. That’s why there is no real farming here. No amount of calling it a “pillar” or dumb money thrown at it is going to change this.
    Might as well get god involved! Still is not going to make the BVI a farm
  • Dancing with the Stars (22/03/2023, 02:53) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    I will vote for Hon. Dr Natalio Wheatley in the forthcoming General Election and show the N.D.P that Dr Natalio is the best choice to lead this government. Don't mind what they may say this young man has what it takes to lead this country. The N.D.P is boasting of stammering Hon Marlon Penn, but I will show them that Hon Dr Wheatley is the right man for the job. May God bless him and so on election day all that I want is for V.I.P supporters to cast their votes for their candidates and don't split their votes with anyone else. We must send Lorna Smith and Ronnie Skelton to the geriatrics home to relax.
  • musa (22/03/2023, 09:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    next election a running
  • concerned citizen (22/03/2023, 12:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's not the only place that needs pumps. Long Bush needs one also for over 7 years plus A new Reservoir was installed that generates thousands of gallons of water and yet still in the evenings persons in the area, including sugar mill road suffer. At times even in the day their is no water.

    We are still on a load sharing system in the 21st century. Its a shame.
  • VIP Backward (22/03/2023, 15:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imaging up in that area have natural wells that be tapped into.
  • VIP , BACK SIDE (22/03/2023, 22:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did you say WELLS ? ???? that would be like spinning ( tap - in - mud ) ???? maybe you should consult the consultant who has added ( messiah ) to his vast amount of skillz to lend his knowledge to save us to save us from ourselves by ordering some rain from the lord to supply our needs ????


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