The incinerator at Pockwood Pond has been out of operation since February 2022, due to an early morning fire that had caused significant damage to the facility. Photo: VINO

As residents affected by the constant smoke emanating from the landfill at Pockwood Pond on Tortola continue to plea for relief, Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said the existing incinerator at Pockwood Pond will be repaired, while an additional incinerator is to be procured. Photo: Youtube

In a statement at the Continuation of the Fifth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Honourable Wheatley acknowledged that one of the most serious challenges facing the Territory is the continued absence of a functioning incinerator at Pockwood Pond.

"The loss of the incinerator has resulted in greater reliance on the burial of waste at a site that is already severely constrained. This has increased pressure on the available disposal area and added to the operational and environmental risks associated with managing waste at Pockwood Pond."

Restoration of existing incinerator

According to Hon Wheatley, his Ministry is therefore advancing the necessary work for the rehabilitation of the existing incinerator, noting that the intention is to restore the unit as an interim treatment option and to provide redundancy within the waste management system.

"At the same time, the Ministry is advancing the preparatory work required for the proposed procurement of an additional incinerator with an anticipated capacity of approximately 50 tonnes per day," Hon Wheatley said.

The current incinerator at Pockwood Pond has been out of operation since February 2022, due to an early morning fire that had caused significant damage to the facility.