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Construction picks up but sand shortage a concern in VI

November 14th, 2022 | Tags: sand shortage construction shipment barge concern
A sand pit in Guyana. It is our understanding that sand is now being shipped from Guyana, as it appears to have some of the best sand in the region for building because of its very low salt content. Photo: inewsguyana.com
From about May of this year, the construction sector in the Virgin Islands (VI) has seen an increase in activity. Photo: Internet Source
From about May of this year, the construction sector in the Virgin Islands (VI) has seen an increase in activity. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- From about May of this year, the construction sector in the Virgin Islands (VI) has seen an increase in activity.

Many private homes, condos and office complexes are being constructed on Tortola, Virgin Gorda and many of the smaller cays.

According to information reaching our news centre from some local contractors; however, there has recently been a shortage of sand in the Territory for building and plastering on many construction sites.

Sand being shipped from Guyana

It is our understanding that sand is now being shipped from Guyana, as it appears to have some of the best sand in the region for building because of its very low salt content.

In the past few months, sand was shipped to both Tortola and Virgin Gorda; however, it is believed that some of the Tortola vendors may have had payment issues. Therefore, most of the sand is being shipped to Virgin Gorda from Guyana, then transported by barge to Tortola on a request basis.

A senior officer of the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), speaking to our news centre on condition of anonymity, said “I have heard the same thing about the sand shortage but so far it has not affected any of our projects.” 

Public Works Department (PWD) has also not been affected, according to its Director Mr Jeremy W. Hodge.

“I'm not aware of the situation and PWD hasn't been affected at this point,” Mr Hodge told our news centre.

15 Responses to “Construction picks up but sand shortage a concern in VI”

  • The watchdog (14/11/2022, 18:36) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    That’s why they stealing sand from the beaches
    • Greg (15/11/2022, 21:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I hear trucks in the wee hours going down Josiah's Bay, back and forth loaded up with sand, and see them bringing up dirt to fill in the holes I guess. Why don't the undercover police put a regular car there to spend the night and you will find where they are coming from? How easy can that be? Oh, I get it, you don't want to catch them. Is someone getting paid to look the other way? But I was told they are taking it from private land, not from the beach, so is that legal?
  • vince (14/11/2022, 18:53) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Svg have sand can’t done import best sand for building black sand
  • asking for a friend (14/11/2022, 19:04) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    What happened to sand from Aruba?
  • salty (14/11/2022, 19:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    beach sand not a good choice for concrete construction unless all the salt is fresh water washed out of the sand before mixing with concrete. Just look at all the crumbling BVI buildings constructed in the mid 20th century on Tortola and VG with only concrete form construction for floors, ring beams, columns, cisterns, etc.
    • Salty is right (15/11/2022, 08:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don't use beach sand for concrete for the reasons he presents.
  • Hmm (14/11/2022, 20:29) Like (38) Dislike (0) Reply
    Guyana has some dangerous reptiles whose eggs can hatch in that sand and then get in our ecosystem just like they are all kind of reptiles and frogs here that are not indigenous to our shores leave that sand alone.
    • for real (14/11/2022, 22:31) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
      Leave that Guyana sand alone. I don’t want to get up one morning and see a anaconda or some other large reptile sitting in my yard. Can you imagine one of those things finding it’s way in your home?
      • Ooiii boiii (15/11/2022, 03:00) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
        Great comment But those reptiles are here already We will see those adultv 10-15 snakes in the next 5 years
        This thing ain’t just started
      • Hog Tail (15/11/2022, 08:00) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
        I fully agree those snakes a very dangerious
    • For real, hmm? (15/11/2022, 08:04) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
      Where did you get that idea?... don't you think that with all the mechanical handling and such, next going to be destroyed....next thing you know, people gonna be hiding the sand to get here...
  • @For Real (15/11/2022, 07:00) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I have the same concern as well.
  • My Goodness (15/11/2022, 08:16) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    I don’t want to think about it. This place is overgrown and overrun with bushes, it is hot enabling reptiles to multiply unnoticed. I always keep around my property clean and clear so I can see anything crawling around my property. The last thing I need to see is some strange reptile crawling around in my home.
  • hmm (15/11/2022, 09:38) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can you imagine in the middle of the night and you go to the bathroom and lift up the toilet seat and see one of those things in the toilet or you open your closet and come face to face with one of those things just laying in the closet hissing? If they are the house, there is a whole nest of them.
  • support (15/11/2022, 11:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    PUBLIC WORKS PLACE IS A TOTAL MESS AND CHAOS .HOW THESE PEOPLE CAN WORK IN THAT SITUATION I DONT KNOW. NO WONDER OUR ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IS FALLING APART. THE PLACE THERE AT BAUGHERS BAY LOOKS LIKE ONE MASSIVE JUNK YARD, THE EXPENSIVE ALHALT MACHINE JUST SITTING THERE EXPOSE TO THE ELEMENTS .


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