Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool. Photo: GIS/File

According to Director of Communications Arliene T. Penn, the launch of the project is two-fold: (1) It includes a brief ceremony to provide an overview of how the rehabilitation, upgrade and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure will be approached; and, (2) immediately following the launch is the procurement training for two days to explain to project staff the expectations and procedures of the works to be completed.

During the launch, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE, Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool and Chief Economist of Caribbean Development Bank, Mr. Carl Howell will give remarks based on a press release dated July 27, 2012.

Mrs. Penn said, “The Government is eager to move forward with this initiative as it stems to improve the quality of life not only for residents of the Virgin Islands, but our visitors.

Furthermore, the Government believes that an improved road and drainage infrastructure is important to building a better Virgin Islands.”

The Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project is a loan agreement between the Government and CDB to address the areas in the Territory impacted by Sub-Tropical Storm “Otto” in October 2010. The Territory experienced widespread flooding, landslides, rockfall, damage to the road sector and utilities. A state of emergency was declared by the Governor at that time for localised areas experiencing flooding.

The Ministry of Communication and Works will manage the works to be completed.