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‘What we’re doing here is not sustainable at all’– Health Minister on incinerator woes

- Commits to working towards sustainable processing of garbage with possible energy production
Currently, there is no incineration and the garbage is being buried with topsoil the prevent spontaneous combustion given the incinerator has not been working in a working state. Photo: GIS/Youtube
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley alongiwth Governor John J, Rankin and UK FCDO Director Mr Vijay Rangarajan. Photo: GIS/Youtube
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley alongiwth Governor John J, Rankin and UK FCDO Director Mr Vijay Rangarajan. Photo: GIS/Youtube
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI – Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said he has come to the realisation that the current operation at the Pockwood Pond Incinerator to process garbage is neither sustainable for the environment nor for the territory.

Currently, there is no incineration and the garbage is being buried with topsoil to prevent spontaneous combustion, given the incinerator has not been in a working state.

This comes as the Minister paid a visit to the site with the Governor of the Virgin Islands John J. Rankin CMG, and UK Director General for the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) Mr Vijay Rangarajan.

Governor Rankin, commenting on the visit, said while he is aware of the issues, as governor, he is keen on finding a solution with the government.

“ I'm aware, like everybody else, of the problems with the continued use of landfill and the smoke and disturbance that's causing for people here in the Virgin Islands. So as governor, I’m keen to find that solution, [and] see if we can get an incinerator back up and working here."

Governor Rankin said the ideal incinerator would be one that could feed energy back into the grid and lower electricity costs for residents. 

Matter an environment & economic issue - Governor Rankin 

The Governor added that it is both an environmental issue and an economic issue, but if the VI can get it right, it can make things better for everyone living here.

Minister Wheatley, commenting on the matter, added: “I fully agree with the Governor, and I thank him for coming and bringing the Director General from FCDO here to Pockwood Pond. The issue of the incinerator is a long-standing issue and I'm prepared to bring an end to this problem and bring some kind of a solution to it. Energy provision is also an interesting idea that we get to waste energy being produced here at Pockwood Pond.”

He added that any amount of energy produced will offset greenhouse emissions and reduce the VI’s overall carbon footprint.  

Meanwhile, Mr Rangarajan added that he was grateful to the Governor and the Minister for showing him around and allowing him the opportunity to see the possibilities where the VI is looking to leapfrog into building something which processes waste in a more environmentally sensitive means and produces energy.

He committed that the UK is willing to assist the VI in any, so they can help the territory be as beautiful as it can be.

24 Responses to “‘What we’re doing here is not sustainable at all’– Health Minister on incinerator woes ”

  • Anonymous (22/06/2023, 15:06) Like (0) Dislike (14) Reply
    why the governor so much in the ministries?
    • What!! (22/06/2023, 15:15) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
      “Anonymous “
      Because the ministers can’t get done what they are supposed to do.
      • i am who i am (23/06/2023, 09:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        @What what is so disappointing, wasteful, and a total rip off of the taxpayers is that these socalled . Ministers and politicians during the campaign seem to invest in high powered Reading glasses that can see everything and all the problems and vow to not only fix but improve the systems, then waste tax payers money purchasing government vehicles for the whole crew, refurbish offices as if something is about to happenstart traving all over the world come return without saying a word about the succes and accomplishments of their trip. Then just before the next election hire their friends to transport some rotten seaweeds, fill a few potholes and scatter some asphalt on the ground and then leave office with hundreds of thousands of our $$s in their pockets, and thousands in monthly collections, leaving the problems right where they met them, perhaps for the next batch of politicians to campaign about fixing and then they are off to see the world on their own time and terms. What a waste..Ostraches we seem to be.
        Then taxpayers end up paying for a government out of office and a government in office. Is it any wonder then that civil Servants can't get paid what's owed to them and the infractire still in a delapodatef 3rd world state? We are often our own worst nightmares.
        NviLove NviStrong, OneBvi, Nature's Little Secrets
    • @Anonymous (23/06/2023, 07:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      The civil servants who you and others advised fall under him work in them. It's that simple. Thank you Governor Rankins.
  • WOW (22/06/2023, 15:09) Like (32) Dislike (1) Reply
    What an amazing revelation!

    Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said he has come to the realisation that the current operation at the Pockwood Pond Incinerator to process garbage is neither sustainable for the environment nor for the territory.

    That only took him 20 years to realise?
  • again (22/06/2023, 15:46) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks Mr.Governor for coming aboard or else this would've been worse.Now please visit VIRGIN GORDA and relief us of our saga.
  • jah (22/06/2023, 15:58) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    He take him 5 years to waist our social security money on those houses that we have to wait 15 years to get back when we all know that get back would never happen,this dud thinking all about using up tax payers money to give to his friends.
  • Facial expression (22/06/2023, 16:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is saying )> the Governor ) so what you got to say for yourself now Vincent , ( Vincent ) I haven't the faintest idea ???? ( where is Calvin ? when I need him ) and the UK director ) are there Indians here ? , am seeing something smoke signals up there ???? ???? ???? ????
  • Help please (22/06/2023, 16:51) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is an environmental and economic issue. But, as important, it is also a dire health issue.
    Thanks to Governor Rankin and the Director General for accompanying Minister Wheatley to the site at Pockwood Pond, our dirty (and not so little!) secret!!
  • Utmost (22/06/2023, 17:40) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    This issues has to be addressed and taken very seriously. I have said it before and I will say it again. To many Women in the BVI is coming down with cancer at an alarming rate due to the toxins in the air from that open burning dump site.
    • Bad English (22/06/2023, 21:39) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Too many women are; not To many women is…
      • @Bad English (23/06/2023, 07:29) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply

        Who died and made you the $%&^* pronunciation Police? People make grammar and pronunciation errors everyday. Go and wash your funky be***d properly instead of trying to be the damn pronunciation Police.

        • @ Bad English and @@Bad English (23/06/2023, 10:39) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          You're both over-reacting. Why are we so quick to take offence and to react in unnecessarily aggressive and provocative ways? Peace.
        • snd (25/06/2023, 09:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Police should have a lower case ‘p’ not a capital P
  • area (23/06/2023, 07:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok uncle vin
  • Manjack. (23/06/2023, 18:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This problem has been a thorn in the BVI side for years and the Premier should be knee deep in getting this issue fix. The Premier should have been highly visible on this issue; it is a health and safety issue, in addition to being an environmental and economic issue. Furthermore, a leader/ manager must know the issues before the auditors or investigators come in. Either the Premier or Deputy should have been on the site visit. The BVI has a myriad of issues and some are Quadrant 1, Job 1, issues , ie, Important and Urgent. Solid waste management, especially the Incinerator operation, is a Quadrant 1 issue. The governing system is as hosed up as Hogans Goat, for the system sometimes requires placing people in charge of functions that put them outside their depth; they are Peter Principled. We need a more effecting governing model. This is not rocket science. Let’s geh ah dun. This is a project for the Virgin Islands Development Agency ( VIDA). It is tailor made for VIDA. Putting square pegs in round holes is a losing operation. Are not PSs technical experts, along with being public affairs gurus?
    • To Manjack (24/06/2023, 22:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      PSs are far from technical experts. They are glorified secretaries. That’s all they are.
  • Concern West Resident (24/06/2023, 07:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Manjack, thanks for prioritizing this issue as a health and safety issue, not as the minister and governor prioritizing it as an economic and environmental. Our health and safety should be come first. But apparently health and safety is subordinated to economical and environmental issues. Should not the focus be on the health and safety of the people? Where was the D-1 Rep? Should he not have been on the site visit? The people in the West are more than a numerical item!!! Again, thanks for positing and casting this issue as Q1 ( IMPORTANT and URGENT) issue. Is this problem and the focus it is getting emblematic of life and the direction of the BVI/VI. Dr. Hon Premier Natalio Wheatley, (Rep D-7), (MoF), it is time to take charge and lead on this issue. During the election, voters in the West (District 1) did their part and now it is time for government to do its part and if it does not be warned that another election will come. This issue is so vital and important that a National Emergency needs to be declared. This issue has traversed successive governments. It is time, way past time, to arrest this beast that is ruining our health. We boast of having one of the highest standard of living, quality of life, per capita income and human development index in the region. That is good stats and sounds good and impressive on paper but the reality is people are suffering; their health is being adversely affected. All the people in the West needs to be tested and put on a monitoring programme, as another blogger several months ago noted and suggested in another commentary. We are waiting for the national declaration. Do you have the courage and stones to the right thing for the people in the West. We are tired of talk and no action. Let’s talk, talk, the talk snd walk, walk, the walk. Let’s demonstrate that you are more than sn accidental Premier . Lead, lead, with positive action and outcome.
    • West Resident 2 (24/06/2023, 12:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Concern West Resident, I support and endorse your commentary. Let’s see it is blown off as things usually are. If so let someone agitate and take a trip to Road Town on the pothole riddled road and not leave until we get a meaningful truthful, commitment to address the issue. There has been much chatter on site about the laudable action since of Dolph Faulkner, Noel Lloyd, Christopher Fleming. We need to join those names by peacefully agitating and advocating for the health and safety of our people. Hon Karl Dawson (D-1) needs to rock the boat , and be more visible and forceful on this issue. Our health and safety must take precedence over political collective responsibility. George, Romney- Moses where ah yu ?
    • West End 3 (25/06/2023, 09:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I second the motion. Let’s head up Town to Wickhams Cay and sojourn and camp out till we get answers. Neither the Premier nor any of other elect members live in the west, so they don’t face the health and safety risk and for years have only paid lip service, if that, to the crisis in the west. Concerned West Resident mention a national disaster decoration; it is a health crisis.
  • RealPol (24/06/2023, 09:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Solid waste management should be under public works or environmental, health. Nevertheless, Environmental would be the better option, for public works is a poorly performing department. For starters, it is poorly staff. It is not practical and effective to assigned a non-engineer to an engineer position and expect positive outcomes. That is trying to force a square peg in a round hole. What did Einstein insanity was? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This incinerator is like a hot potato. No one seems to get it handle. Out source the operation and maintenance to a private company. We can not continue to waste money on this thing and not getting it moved off top dead center. Stop the bleeding, if not it die.
  • Yawn ???? (24/06/2023, 09:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Same s&&$ different day…..Next.
  • @ Yawn?? (24/06/2023, 13:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Yawn??, you probably do not live in the west and down wind from the incinerator and open burning emissions which is causing respiratory and other ailments. It is not in your backyard probably so you probably don’t give a rat’s ass. If so that is shortsighted and selfish. It is one BVI supposedly so what is felt in one locale should reverberate through the territory. If no, game over. And we should just raise the white flag. But I’m an optimist so in this darkest hour we would come together.
  • No will (25/06/2023, 10:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Say what you want, but the garbage issue has been around and getting worse for 40 + years. What was OK back then doesn’t work now, and we’ve know that for more than 20 years. Talk is cheap. The reality is there is no political will to develop and implement a cohesive waste management policy. It’s in everybody’s best interest but the politicians have squandered good money after bad, and the voters keep electing the same. What does that tell us about how much the voters really care about this so long as there’s a dumpster for their trash that then becomes someone else’s issue.


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