No potable Water in Sea Cows Bay for months! Deliberate?
It was sometime in 2010 that the then Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government signed a water purchase agreement with the British company, Biwater to address the long standing water issues on Tortola.
However, when the Government changed in 2011 the National Democratic Party (NDP) government frustrated the Biwater contract—many say because they had blatant conflict of interest issues and not keeping their infrastructure commitment—meaning, the contract could not be fully executed.
The people have suffered as a result, with lack of potable water.
'Frustrated' by the NDP government, the Owens of Biwater, sold their contract to Seven Seas Water Company based in Florida, USA.
NDP means no water for the people
After claiming on the campaign trail that the Biwater contract was bad for the people, the Dr Smith Administration endorsed the sale and agreed to its terms and conditions, when Biwater contract was sold to Seven Seas.
Some eight to nine years later, the situation is the same, whereby the NDP Government and Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) refuse to address the infrastructural needs of the public water supply.
It cannot be expected to be addressed right away, because the country is left broke by this government, according to the Opposition VIP.
So the people of Sea Cows Bay, and other areas on Tortola, can expect more months of lack of potable water, and hardship.
Hon Fraser voice but still to action
Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA, has been a voice calling for the matter to be addressed.
Many residents for months have taken to Facebook, call-in shows and telephone calls to other elected representatives, about the serious and dire water situation, with many residents in the British Overseas Territory asking, if the VI has become a 'Third World Country.'
Water and Sewerage Department officials have blamed the problem on lack of water pumps, not enough water to fill the Sea Cows Bay reservoir, lack of support and money from the Ministry of Communications and Works and a water rationing system.
Recently, in the House of Assembly, Hon Vanterpool refused to respond to Hon. Fraser, as it relates to the lack of water.
It may take a change of government to address the water woes, in the meantime residents must brace to suffer with the lack of water.
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12 Responses to “No potable Water in Sea Cows Bay for months! Deliberate?”
This problem has been there before NDP got into power
Nonetheless, it is interesting that after the sale of Biwater to Seven Seas, a company that a billionaire has an interest in, Biwater is good. Not a sound from Biwater critics; hippocrites. It is like something from Animal Farm, mythical novel by George Orwell (Eric Blair). Stop the nonsense, stop the politics and bring water to the long suffering consumers. This is a quality of life and standard of living issue. People are sick and tired of being sick and tired of having to wash dem kin in ah bading pan; this is Third World . In fact, it is giving Third World a bad name.