Yet another accident rocks the Ports Proj! Man suffers broken leg!
It was yesterday March 16, 2015 that a hose from a compressor used for jack-hammering reportedly gave way, causing injuries to two persons. This news site was told that the compressor was being cleaned at the time of the mishap.
The broken away equipment also came into contact with about five others on the immediate site of the accident.
One of the persons suffered a broken leg and is still a patient at Peebles Hospital, according to this news site’s sources close to the project. Another person suffered minor cuts and bruises and was released.
This brings to four (4) the number of reported accidents at the Ports Development Project, in less than six (6) months.
On March 8, 2015 a crane boom fell on a tug boat injuring a number of persons. On December 18, 2014 there was a collision between two barges while on October 6, 2014, a truck ferrying stone at the work site overturned into the water as it was negotiating a narrow pass.
It is not clear whether this latest mishap is likely to cause further delays to the multimillion dollar project already behind schedule.
Tight lipped
This news site reached the BVI Health Services Authority’s (BVIHSA) Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ms Franka N. Potter, for a comment on the condition of the injured but she declined, citing patient confidentiality. Calls to CEO of the BVIHSA Darlene A. Carty-Baptiste went unanswered.
Calls to Percy Rhoden of cruise pier contracting firm Meridian Construction Company went unanswered. Calls to BVI Ports Authority Managing Director Claude O. Skelton-Cline and Public Relations Officer April T. Glasgow proved futile.
Decision to be known tonight on CoI
Outside of the four accidents, there seems to be a dark cloud over the Ports Development Project. While the Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) has supported the Ports Development Project they continue to ask questions about the process.
In two reports on the project, one conducted by the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Assembly, and the other by the Auditor General of the Virgin Islands Mrs Sonia M. Webster, they both concluded that that the project was filled with conflict of interest, breaking of laws, corruption and found that no one was looking out for the public’s interest.
Both Opposition parties, the VIP and the People’s Empowerment Party, have called on the Governor to conduct a Commission of Inquiry into the project and await a decision from Governor John S. Duncan OBE, which is expected today.
22 Responses to “Yet another accident rocks the Ports Proj! Man suffers broken leg!”
Accidents happen on EVERY construction site
Is this the only project in the BVI over the last 10 years? Why are you so hell bent on this one project? Get over it! The Governor won't be calling any inquiry into this NEEDED PROJECT! Go look for something meaningful to do instead of trying to trip up the NDP. The Government is working and we will re-elect them, GET OVER IT! You are bitter with NDP since Beef Island and Smugglers, GET OVER IT!
You heard it here first on the blog.
Would Yellow send his/her son or daughter to work on a construction site knowing a high probability they were going to get injured or heaven forbid killed any day just for going to work? If that happened would he/she just say well s^%t happens so just get over it?