Residents seek relief as smoke continues @ Pockwood Pond Landfill
Residents say smoke can be seen during the day, while small fires are visible around the site at night. Although the situation has not been described as a major blaze, the continuing smoke has caused concern in nearby communities.
In an interview with our News Centre, First District Representative Dr. the Hon. Karl Dawson said he understood residents’ concerns and had repeatedly raised the matter with the responsible Minister and Waste Management officials.
“I understand and share residents’ legitimate concerns about the renewed smoke from Pockwood Pond. Since taking office, I have consistently raised this issue with the responsible Minister and Waste Management officials,” Dawson said.
He said earlier action provided approximately two years of relief, but that he had pressed for renewed action since the smoke returned.
“As both District Representative and a member of the Government, I am working with the Minister and Premier to secure a lasting solution." Dawson added that he had recently facilitated discussions with a private citizen about an alternative proposal, which is now under consideration.
“I am pressing for a clear plan, timelines and immediate measures to reduce the smoke. Residents deserve relief and regular updates, and I will continue advocating firmly on their behalf,” he said.
'It is a very delicate situation'- Hon. Vincent O. Wheatley
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) told Virgin Islands News Online that he was aware of an underground fire at the site.
He said officials were seeking technical advice on how best to address it, citing concerns about the stability of the dumpsite.
“Not knowing how long it has been burning and the extent of it makes it a very delicate situation,” Wheatley said.
Issue was brought under control by former Waste Management Director
The issue was reportedly brought under control during the tenure of former Department of Waste Management Director Marcus E. Solomon, a Trinidad and Tobago national; however, his contract was not renewed.
The latest reports revive concerns about a longstanding problem at Pockwood Pond. Fires and smoke have affected the area in previous years; in 2022, the then-Minister for Health and Social Development told the House of Assembly that underground hotspots had ignited unprocessed waste at the site. At that time, the incinerator was also offline following fire damage.
The issue has again raised questions about whether previous improvements can be sustained. Residents and the district representative say the smoke has returned after a period of relief, while the Minister says officials are still seeking technical guidance on the current underground fire.
Virgin Islands News Online also sought comment from Brian A. Davis, Director of the Department of Waste Management, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
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35 Responses to “Residents seek relief as smoke continues @ Pockwood Pond Landfill”
Dare we mention the Incinerator????????
Still AWOL???????
Perhaps then you can reasonably change the mindset of the people with this Island man BS . If a person is competent then they on the job .Part of the reason things is so f up is because you have imcompetent people in positions but we wont/cant get rid of them because them born here.
SO NOT A SURPRISE
IT START IN MAY AND MAYBE BEFORE
THEY JUST DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FIX IT
Where is the minister of works and the Representative for the district.
Why is this little piece of road at Palestina taking so so long.
All this week the guys were there and nothing was done. They cannot decide if they need to scrape the road or fill it up. So, they keep filling and scraping and at the end of the week they are at the same place the started at the begining of the week. No body needs to know what needs to be done. Fifty feet of boxing for the sides takes two weeks and one side is still not boxed up as yet. Can someone help them please. Nobody in the ministry can figure out how to make a very simple drain to take the water from Palestina hill?
They won't want to rush into buying a new one.
The insertion of PRIORITY which in vi i think means they are thinking about, thinking about getting parts to replace the broken parts may be causing the problem
That is not clear. They may still be at the stage of working out what PRIORITY should mean in relation to fixing and repairing. Parts may not be needed. Just time for it to heal may now again be being considered.
PRIORITY designation by the Premier for projects that he wants to slow to a crawl may be being overused in the Territory.
Gus no one here is capable of fixing the incinerator.
Govt don't give a rats ass about the problem, all they know when the people starts to complain, they feed them some bs story.
this has been the norm for years, they get away with it so why would they take any real action.
Do it ,others will follow
And about that road in Havers!!! Tell the people the truth about what happened with our money. When will you stop giving contracts to people not capable for executing the works?
VIP must go!
Exactly, if these dumb@#$ island people file a lawsuit against the Government, look how fast the problem will be corrected. These mumus is breathing in toxins everyday and don’t give a freak about their health. Everyone here is dying from some type of cancer, why is that.Watch ST. John and perhaps ST. Thomas is going to file a lawsuit against the BVI for the toxic smoke from the dump that is constantly blowing the toxic air over their way.