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Hon Penn to make 'comprehensive statement' on situation @ Pockwood Pond

- as residents complain about constant landfill fires
Thick smoke from a landfill fire at Pockwood Pond this past weekend. Photo: CM Farrington/Facebook
New Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) says he intends to make a comprehensive statement on the issues at Pockwoond Pond incinerator in the House of Assembly on Thursday, May 26, 2022. Photo: GIS/File
New Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) says he intends to make a comprehensive statement on the issues at Pockwoond Pond incinerator in the House of Assembly on Thursday, May 26, 2022. Photo: GIS/File
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola VI– Residents of the Virgin Islands (VI), especially those directly affected by the frequent landfill fires at Pockwood Pond, continue to complain about the situation.

In a Facebook post, Dean H. Greenway aka ‘The Sportsman’ added, “In this day and age, First District residents from Pockwood Pond to West End, St John and Carrot Bay, continue to be affected by the Dump fire.” 

Mr Greenway added that the fire is a cause for protest and if affected residents don’t take a stand the issue will continue unabated.

This past weekend, in particular, the smoke from a landfill fire was intense.

Issue persisting for years 

Successive governments and Ministers have failed to address the issue of the landfill fires at Pockwood Pond incinerator.

Currently, the incinerator is down due to an explosion.

The issue at Pockwood Pond will no doubt be one of the biggest challenges for new Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8).

"I intend to make a comprehensive statement on this matter in the House [of Assembly] on Thursday," Hon Penn told our newsroom today, Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

30 Responses to “Hon Penn to make 'comprehensive statement' on situation @ Pockwood Pond”

  • Styles. (24/05/2022, 08:22) Like (41) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bro... We don't need a statement. We need action!
    • @ Reply (24/05/2022, 09:24) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
      Can anyone in there right mind expect action from smurf stuuuups
    • west (24/05/2022, 10:59) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
      @styles, When your failed premier was there you made NO .mention and NO progress made. Hush and give him a chance.
      • @west (24/05/2022, 11:10) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
        Actually, when the previous premier was here I made the exact same comments. I don't care what P these ministers belong too. They all talk to much and act too little.
    • Scared (24/05/2022, 11:00) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      the fire right next to ec. suppose one of the flame get blow over by the fuel tanks. lord we in trubble.
    • Ghg (24/05/2022, 16:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Whatever you say or do is for the best of the vi people
  • one eye (24/05/2022, 08:23) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    More talk no action
  • Can't wait (24/05/2022, 08:29) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can't wait until Thursday! Something REALLY has to be done about the incinerator. We have been waiting for (20?) years of incompetent governments wanting backhanders for someone to fix it properly.
  • dont put a bwoy to do a man's job (24/05/2022, 08:31) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marlon bwoy you bite off more than u could chew
  • Carrot bay man. (24/05/2022, 08:31) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are going to kill all of us in the first district with cancer before they fix that problem, no country that have the resources like the BVI burn garbage these days, it’s the lack of leadership, our home is worse than a 3rd country, look at the USVi they got good leadership and they are thriving.Come on man!!!!
  • The Watcher (24/05/2022, 08:56) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Thank goodness!! A comprehensive statement will be made in a few days...your government inaction.....
  • more (24/05/2022, 08:57) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Band aids
  • Statement? (24/05/2022, 09:05) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about he does something instead...
  • WILL SAY IT (24/05/2022, 09:27) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    That burning of toxins in the air is most likely responsible for so many people on the Island coming down with some form of cancer.
  • WOW (24/05/2022, 09:38) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The day a lawyer with ball will be ready make action agains the Government,something may start to move Or we at west end all get half a million for healt issue.
  • Sam (24/05/2022, 09:39) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Will always says the politicians only care about us just before the election once in office the focus is on tourism and the financial sectors

    The focus is on foreign affairs while neglecting home affairs west end have been placed on the back burner for many years, year after year after year and no one care

    penn is pure jive talk because is party had 8 consecutive years to address this hazardous situation
    • @Sam (24/05/2022, 13:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Correction - BOTH parties have had at least a couple of terms each to fix this hazardous situation......
  • fraser for ministry of health (24/05/2022, 09:45) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    If julian fraser was the minister health this problem would of been solved long time
    • Reality check (24/05/2022, 11:02) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      Fraser would have moved it to Sea Cow bay and used it fill the harbour making land he could sell/give away!
  • WHAT!!!! (24/05/2022, 10:23) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    No statement is required we need to see something being done.
  • My girl (24/05/2022, 11:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nothing will happen
  • Tired (24/05/2022, 11:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    we have heard enough talk. BVI is not the only place with garbage to dispose of. What are other countries doing? There is no concern about the health of people on all angles. This has been going on for years and you never see as much as one person rise up and say enough is enough and protest. Only when something is exposed internationally on social media do we get a response or a little bit of action on any vexing matter of concern. People are tired of all of you
  • Statement (24/05/2022, 15:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lets hope it reports a robust permanent solution (including growth for 40 years) without using the nonsense words 'mobile incinerators'
  • Mr Samuels (24/05/2022, 16:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can you believe it's been over 3years I'm behind government, telling and presenting my plan that would keep the BVI clean decades to come.
    It's free of cost to our government and within 16 months we can have a well rounded waste/ recycling complex and over 150 jobs for our people.
    Let's start to stop this problem Now
    Government can't wait for a worker or civilian to get caught up on that hill when ???? starts
    Alkebulan Minds Recycling Inc we have a solution specifically for this problem
    • @Mr. Samuels (24/05/2022, 17:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Where can the public find more information about Alkebulan Minds Recycling Inc solution?
      • Mr Samuels (24/05/2022, 21:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You can contact me at
        alkebulanminds620@gmail.com to find out what we have to offer the territory over 3 years ago
  • vi (24/05/2022, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do your best so the UK ???????? could change their mind
  • "Mobile Incinerators"? (24/05/2022, 16:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please, no joke solutions or 10% contracts to outside fakirs! This can't be fixed in a week, but extra staff and possibly land can be used to sort and store while this gets nailed down. Aren't grants and guidance available from large countries or businesses for cutting edge waste disposal methods? This is big business and we just light matches.
    • RedStorm (25/05/2022, 12:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Love your comment. I believe the people who have the ideas are the man in the streets. Years ago certain people in NYC used to buy garbage, some do it to fill land in another state then claim the land and build buildings, others do it so that they can sell it again. Yes! it's big money business, because if I keep my garbage pilled in my yard, I could be charge for environmental nuisance. However, if the ordinary man start advertising to bring your garbage at a certain lot, and he will buy it the some will complain, oh there is no license to do such business , dah , dah dahhh da. Let someone pool there resources together and ask to privatized the garbage collection. Many people on the sideline don't have jobs, and its is one way to reduce unemployment. Unemployment really is a man made system to keep people in a certain level of poverty.


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