Solution to VI’s water issue a ‘no-brainer’- Hon Skelton
That is according to Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) while speaking on NDP Radio on ZBVI 780 AM last night, Monday, June 2, 2025.
Host of NDP Radio, Pastor John I. Cline, said the issues in the Virgin Islands (VI) continue to be a “monkey on our backs”, adding, “We’ve got to find a way out of here”.
Pastor Cline said the government pays one supplier, Seven Seas Water, 1.5 million dollars each month for water.
“I don’t know what the other companies getting paid…let’s say they getting half a million, let’s say you getting 2 million dollars a month and we still can’t supply water,” he said.
$26M paid out, $4M received
Hon Skelton disclosed that over the past two budget cycles, an annual expenditure of $26 million has been allocated for water services, while only $4 million is recovered in revenue.
“If there is a proposal to fix the water issue in the country and it cost 10 million dollars, 15 million dollars, then the government can look at 15 million dollars and what they can regroup and what it takes to finance 15 million from the wherever they will get it and do all what is necessary to make sure that they are supplying water…and make sure that the monies that are being collected can service the thing.”
Hon Skelton added that it is a “no-brainer” to him.
Pastor Cline asked the former Opposition Leader, “If you’re only collecting 4 million, something is off because it says to me that a more fundamental issue is, what are we doing about a proper billing system?”
The exercise, Hon Skelton replied, would include this issue.
“It’s not looking at it from a piecemeal kind of way, it’s taking a holistic approach to it…A whole study needs to be done in a short space of time, and it needs to have some quick wins.”
He added that electricity and water are based on the same principles and does not see why it cannot happen, saying, “No one wants to take a holistic approach to it.”
Fixing water issues ‘must be done’ - Hon Skelton
Asked if an NDP government would fix the water issue if elected back into office, Hon Skelton said, “I don’t think there is any alternative point to fix it.”
Mr Aaron F. Parillon, who has already confirmed that he will run on the NDP ticket for District Three during the next election, added, “It has to be done.”
He also accused the government of underfunding the Water and Sewerage Department.
“That’s the long and short of it. The department is underfunded.”
.png)
.png)
_Skip_the_Ferry_copy_(2).jpg)
.png)
Follow Us On
22 Responses to “Solution to VI’s water issue a ‘no-brainer’- Hon Skelton”
Your administration brought on NHI that only the providers benefit from NOT THE PEOPLE. You Ronnie claimed when you campaigned last time you have the fix for NHI. So because you didn't get Premier you can't tell the people how to fix the problem when it's the people who suffering and it's the same people you want put you back in office to do NOTHING yet again!!!! Come on mehn.
WE NEED LEADERS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NOT POLITICANS!!!!! WE NEED VISIONARIES IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS!!!!
Look at what the politicians of the last 30years have done about the water delivery side? NOTHING. Non of them.
We need LEADERS not politicians.
.............and WATER.
The holding company Seven Seas Water (BVI) Holdings Limited makes profits of over $6,000,000 a year (2024) so over a third of what the government pays goes straight into the shareholders pockets. Isn't water a public service and so shouldn't all of what the government pays go into investing in our water network? If it smells like **** it probably is ****
Ownership of Seven Seas seems to be hidden. Makes you think doesn't it?
However, a difference a few years make. Bi-water was a Build-Operate-Turnover (BOT). The project was supposed to be turned over to government after 16 years. Has government taken over the plant? Oops!!! All is well now after Seven Seas took over from Bi-water. Who are the investors in Seven Seas? This is a public project so the public needs to know who the investors are who are raking the public over hot coals. Here is a news flash. Water is too critical a resources, infrastructure, etc, to be used as a political football. VI residents must engaged and stop this nonsense. It is a prime national security issue.