Persons trying to rewrite history over Biwater deal – Willock
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Mr Willock was at the time speaking as a guest on 'Da Morning Braff' radio show on Tola Radio 100.5 FM hosted by Cindy Rosan on Thursday, November 9, 2023.
“I would say I was at the Water and Sewage Department when the Biwater discussion began, so I don't know anything of being introduced by me,” he told listeners.
In fact, Mr Willock added that he had left the country for studies that exceeded a year of absence however, by the time of his return, the entire Biwater deal was already well advanced.
“I was also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications & Works and the whole Biwater project was a government policy, and I supported the government policy and that is something today that we can't find with Civil Servants. Civil Servants seem to be a runaway train, not supporting government policy,” he added.
VI would be better off if Gov’t did part – Willock
“Some of the things that were in that contract and the things that they had pledged to do, if the government had kept their side and fixed the infrastructure, we would have been better off today than we were five years ago with this water crisis that we're facing,” he added.
Mr Willock detailed that with finger-pointing about who brought the Biwater deal to the VI, people are trying to re-write history.
“What I find in the BVI is that there are people with selective memories, and there are people who are trying to rewrite history. The fact of the matter is that there were negotiations with the local company to stay, to expand their water supply and there was a loggerhead as to the money to be accepted.”
Mr Willock added, “I think the negotiations broke down when they would not accept the government's offer, and in addition to that, they were willing to give up one of the plants which was the Baughers Bay plant. So we have to understand and not try to rewrite history, that local company had opportunities to be given an additional contract where Biwater would have not been necessary.”
He said as the then Permanent Secretary he still supported government policy and quietly objected to projects he did not support via writing, “But once the Cabinet approved Biwater, it was my job, both as the Director of Water and Sewage or even as the Permanent Secretary to execute the policy of the government,” Mr Willock said.
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15 Responses to “Persons trying to rewrite history over Biwater deal – Willock”
BIwater was/is a 16-year build-operate - turnover (BOT) controversial water contract awarded under the VIP government in 2007/2008, which have kicked around like a political football, pinata, for almost two decades, having been a major issue through two or more political campaigns. Its intent was to markedly improve the VI, a water-challenged, small bedroom community, potable water supply. The vision and mission of providing a reliable potable water supply is still unfulfilled ; water unavailability at the tap is still common place. Was the BIWater contract perfect? No. Not contract is perfect. Post award, change orders , modifications, etc., mechanisms are employed to improve contracts. Interestingly, the political battles over BIWater was in a cease fire mode among political combatants for the last several years when supposedly the Seven Seas company got involved. The Seven Seas involvement is still murky. Nevertheless, the political ambushing battles have flared up. Moreover, the BIWater issue is entangled in a regional political malady, ie, a project started by one government is not readily embraced by succeeding government (s). In the mean time, the long-standing poor water-starved customers cannot enjoy a reliable supply of potable water. Water is a precious commodity, which is used for bodily hydration, domestic, commercial and industrial uses, economic growth and development, etc.. All Virgin Islanders want for Christmas and beyond is a reliable supply of quality water. Let’s stop the finger pointing, which is not getting water to the tap, and fix the water supply problem. Customers have suffered enough and don’t give a rat’s @ss about the political skirmishes/battles; all we/they want is water..Leh us geh ah dun nah!!!
We thank Julian Willock for setting the record straight