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New garbage incinerator earmarked for Tortola – Premier Fahie

- Other environmental programmes being pursued
A new incinerator will be procured for the main island of Tortola. The incinerator is expected to be more 'environmentally friendly' than the current Pockwood Pond operation. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie made the announcement on Budget Day 2020 during the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on November 12, 2020. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Premier Andrew A. Fahie made the announcement on Budget Day 2020 during the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on November 12, 2020. Photo: GIS/Facebook
The incinerator in Pockwood Pond, Tortola, is the lone incinerator in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The incinerator in Pockwood Pond, Tortola, is the lone incinerator in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced that a new incinerator will be procured for the main island of Tortola, one that is more environmentally friendly than the current Pockwood Pond operation.

Premier Fahie made the announcement on Budget Day 2020, during the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on November 12, 2020.

“Funds have been allocated to procure, develop and assemble a new incinerator on Tortola to include all mechanical, electrical and plumbing works so that we can enhance the disposal of garbage in a manner that protects the environment and surrounding communities,” he said.

Residents in the community of West End, in particular, continue to complain about the smoke pollution from the Pockwood Pond incinerator.

Like the sewage issues in East End/Long Look, many governments have failed to adequately address the issue of pollution despite promises; however, it remains to be seen if the 'unconventional' Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, led by Premier Fahie, will be able to effectively tackle this issue.

EE/Long Look Sewage works commence

Hon Fahie added that the Government remains aware of the public health concerns and will also look into addressing the Territory’s sewerage infrastructure.

“Mr Speaker, your Government has commenced work on the long-awaited and long-overdue East End/Long Look Sewerage Project, and we have given the commitment to the residents that we will see this through.”

He said the project entails the continuation of the development of an integrated sewerage system spanning East End/Long Look, which would include sewerage collection transmission in addition to treatment and disposal system.

“We will also be pressing forward with the Cane Garden Bay Sewerage Project and the Road Town Sewerage Project. These are places where our people live and work, they are popular locations when visitors come, therefore they must be kept to a high standard,” the Premier said.

13 Responses to “New garbage incinerator earmarked for Tortola – Premier Fahie”

  • Overdue (19/11/2020, 08:07) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    We are talking about a new incinerator and we still haven't addressed our landfill issue. We need to establish a proper landfill it is way overdue let's get that fixed before we spend more money on an incinerator.
  • usvi (19/11/2020, 08:39) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Good you all killing us USVI people in St. John
  • Heckler (19/11/2020, 09:39) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wait what? Just installed and fixed the old one but didn't install the scrubbers and now buying a brand new one? Make sure you get all the bits this time buddy
  • Jane (19/11/2020, 10:50) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about a proper recycling centre? Most large villages/small towns in Europe have a small recycling depot for the proper disposal of plastics, cardboards, batteries, lightbulbs, books and cds, garden waste/compostable, mattresses, large appliances, small appliances, lumber, construction waste, cooking oil, paint tins & chemicals etc etc. We need one of these in each of the main islands. This isnt a new development, they've been around for 15-20 years at this point. For a Territory which has experienced what climate change means, we are doing a p*ss-poor job of doing our bit to stop or reverse it.

    We need to stop calling ourselves "Nature's Little Secrets" when we are systematically destroying these islands. We are burning diesel for electricity despite an abundance of solar, wind and wave options; we are burning our garbage like medieval peasants.

    We should all be ashamed that as one of the richest countries in the World (19th highest GDP per capita) we are literally s**tting on our own doorstep.
  • Vg don (19/11/2020, 12:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    And virgin Gorda still burns trash and you wonder why people in vg have respiratory problems.
  • Dancing in the sunshine (19/11/2020, 13:00) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Finally we have a leader who is looking out for the people. The communities need to be more responsible and dispose of their garbage. Pallet boards, cardboard and wood can be shredded and used as mulch for land shaping and gardening.

    Good work Mr Premier. Keep looking out for the people.
  • @Jane (19/11/2020, 14:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    These people just don't get it. We will forever be buying incinerators and climbing the hillside will garbage unless we change our mindset and our approach. Recycling is a must but apparently people are just too lazy. It's just fancy talk with absolutely no substance behind it. I thought we were rebuilding stronger, GREENER, etc....
  • vg to de bone (19/11/2020, 15:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is VG not there priority? We generate a huge percentage of income here in the B.V.I. All the tourist that visit prefer this island and it's a shame to see there is so much pollution from the open air burning. Not to mention so many people getting sick and dying because of the toxic smoke exposure. Sometimes you drive to go to North Sound and you can't even see the road infront of you must less breathe properly. We are really fed up of this practice and demand something be done very urgently before things really get out of hand. There's hardly anymore space at the dumpsite because so much land has been occupied for this inhumane practice. You can smell the toxic smoke as far as Beef island when they're burning the garbage. Everything burns at that site producing alot of harmful chemicals in the same air that we need to stay alive. Please give us a incinerator too!!!!! We can't live like this anymore you're killing us slowly but surely.
  • hello (19/11/2020, 16:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am so sorry for some people they don't have A CLUE...
  • Tan I am (19/11/2020, 16:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    How many incinerators,new and new parts and repairs and scrubbers and fixes.how many cancer deaths respiratoratoryi ilnnesses....how many lies ,how many promises
  • VG (19/11/2020, 16:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its very disheartening to trucks loads/bins coming from Moskito island/Necker island/ Saba rock all those developments garbage coming to mainland VG with no consideration
  • E. Leonard (19/11/2020, 21:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The VI is 59 square mile group of islands spread over 36 islands, islets, cays and rocks. Its population increased from 8000, 9800, 11500, 17500, 21000, 2800 and 30,000 in 1960, 70, 80, 90, 2000, 2010 and 2020, respectively. As the population increased so did the increased demand for solid waste services. The VI small size posed a solid waste challenge. Its small size, coupled with its hilly terrain, pose a challenge to construct a large earthen landfill that will have a relatively extended useful life, ie, 50-100 years. As such, the VI best option for managing and processing solid waste is incineration. Nonetheless, the incinerator must be state-of-the-art, protect public health, and its emittance must be safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly. Its operation must create a friendly neighbor status with the USVI. To attain and sustain its safe, healthy and environmental friendly status, there must be a well-trained and licensed operators, strong inspection, maintenance, operations and repair programme. Licensing/permitting as applicable should be pursued for the incineration programme.

    Moreover, to reduce the demand on the incinerator, a strong programmatic recycling programme, ie, plastic, paper, metal, glass .......etc should be developed and implemented. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Explore the possibility of shipping out recycle material on container ships that return empty.
  • Managing director (21/11/2020, 00:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Alkebulan minds recycling inc. will never stop at our mission... alkebulanmindsrecycling@gmail.com
    Communicate with us let us make a major difference. Join a multi million dollar corporation


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