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Landfill fires expected to top discussions @ District 1 Meeting with Hon Dawson
The meeting is to discuss matters affecting the district; however, two of the main items on the agenda will be the sore issue of open burning at Pockwood Pond and the West End Ferry Terminal project.
“This is one of the planned regular opportunities for me to meet with residents of the district and give updates. I last gave an update at the meeting hosted by the District 1 Association. Tuesday’s meeting is an opportunity to discuss various matters in the district as we seek to address issues and develop new initiatives to move us forward. We will invite relevant individuals and organisations to attend the meeting as needed,” Hon Dawson told his constituents via social media today, August 25, 2023.
Among those expected to be at the meeting are the new Director of the Department of Waste Management (DWM), Marcus E. Solomon, as well as representatives of the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) who will discuss the planned ferry terminal for West End.
Issue of landfill fires expected to dominate discussions
Residents are expected to have many questions for Dr Dawson and Mr Solomon regarding the almost daily landfill fires at Pockwood Pond and what solutions they can expect short term and long term.
“The matter of the smoke is still a major concern and a point of frustration for you and I even as I followed up with the Ministry. A new director has been appointed and he wishes to engage with communities as he forges a way forward for waste management comprehensively. He will also update on the current situation,” Dr Dawson told his constituents.
Regarding the new West End Ferry Terminal, Dr Dawson said it is an ongoing project, “and I promised to keep you informed along the way, hence, the invitation for them [RDA representatives] to attend.”
The meeting on August 29, 2023, is slated to start at 6:00 PM.
Meeting with farmers
The day prior, Monday, August 28, 2023, Dr Dawson will be meeting with local farmers at 5:00 PM at the Elmore Stoutt High School tent.
The purpose of the meeting is to share information, pool ideas and discuss the future of farming and fishing in the Virgin Islands.
All attendees are asked to be present by 4:30 PM for a tour of the school’s farm, organised by the young students/farmers.
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9 Responses to “Landfill fires expected to top discussions @ District 1 Meeting with Hon Dawson”
Even more importantly, what specific plans does the Rep have for his District, and when will he actually share it?
Had it been any of the other that won, the folks down there would have already demanded more from their Rep., so why the kids gloves?
What is your solution? We are all sick to death of talk and smoke.
BUT START FIXING
Then we can talk
However, the BVI is a small locale which does not have that luxury. Instead, it has to look at other options, ie, recycling, incineration, etc.
Nevertheless, its incineration program seems to be an operational nightmare, eating the BVI lunch. It is down more often than it’s up, in addition to missing some emission control features.,These missing features result in the incinerator emitting PELs(Permissible Exposure Limit) that are above the minimum safe limits, exposing residents in the Western end of Tortola to hazardous and harmful emissions. To add coco bay pun tap ah yaws, ie, making tings worse, when the incinerator is down, the agency has to resort to open burning. The emissions from open burning is hard to measure and controls further exposing residents to health hazards. A national emergency needs to be declared.
This situation is a Quadrant 1 issue, ie, Important and Urgent and needs the hands-on attention of The Hon Premier Natalio Wheatley to declare the situation a national emergency. This is not now a Ralph Oneal or D. Orlando Smith or Andrew Fahie administrations issue;,it is a Natalio Wheatley administration issue, requiring actions, not promises or well-crafted speeches, etc.
Further it is not only a Western end of Tortola problem but also a national problem. It is not VIP, PVIM, NDP, PU or etc problem; it is a national problem.
Moreover, in addition to declaring a national emergency I have a few more suggestions, ie., a) Premier Wheatley, and Minister of Health Vincent Wheatley need to put residents residing or have resided in the Western end Tortola on health monitoring program, testing for ailments which may been attributed to incinerator emissions and open burning, and treated as needed, b) institute an aggressive and comprehensive recycling program. True, recycling may be a cost center,,not a revenue center, but the investing in recycling will reduce the load on the incinerator and the l volume of waste burned, c) in revamping the incineration program, establish a waste to energy program. My two cent$.