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VI Gov't to export waste oil; No revenue expected from programme!

Construction of a concrete base for about four storage tanks located behind the now-abandoned Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay on the main island of Tortola is well underway. Photo: VINO
The Director of the Department of Waste Management, Mr Marcus E. Solomon, said the project is to store waste oil to be shipped to Trinidad. Photo: GIS/File
The Director of the Department of Waste Management, Mr Marcus E. Solomon, said the project is to store waste oil to be shipped to Trinidad. Photo: GIS/File
It is unclear if there are any hazardous risks to residents living in the area as the waste oil storage project is on private property leased to the Department of Waste Management. Photo: VINO
It is unclear if there are any hazardous risks to residents living in the area as the waste oil storage project is on private property leased to the Department of Waste Management. Photo: VINO
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI- Construction of a concrete base for about four storage tanks located behind the now-abandoned Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay on the main island of Tortola is well underway.

Many residents have been inquiring about the project. Our newsroom can confirm that the project is spearheaded by the Department of Waste Management (DWM) under the Ministry of Health and Social Development (MHSD).

The project is to store waste oil to be shipped to Trinidad. It is unclear when the waste oil will be shipped. The Director of the Department of Waste Management, Mr Marcus E. Solomon, speaking exclusively to Virgin Islands News Online, confirmed the project. He also noted that no revenue will be obtained from the project; however “the oil will be shipped every three months to be treated and recycled.”

Mr Solomon told our news centre that one of the aims of the project is to reduce the number of fires and smoke occurring at the Pockwood Pond Dumpsite. He said the initial outsourced export agreement is for 6 months.

Is it safe for residents?

It is unclear if there are any hazardous risks to residents living in the area as the project is on private property leased to the Department of Waste Management. The terms and conditions, including the cost of the lease, are unknown at this time.

Trinidad and Tobago national Mr Solomon, when asked why the Government will not be receiving any revenue from this project, stated that “we did not pursue revenue in this instance because we wanted to ensure we have the infrastructure operating efficiently and build relationships with the intended markets by guaranteeing the supply”.

14 Responses to “VI Gov't to export waste oil; No revenue expected from programme!”

  • Anonymous (28/02/2024, 13:45) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep ayo eyes on these trickadain
  • NICK (28/02/2024, 13:51) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Those oil could turn into diesel if you are smart enough to mix it with gasoline,and it could run some of those machines.
    • hmm (28/02/2024, 21:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      rofl..go ahead and mix it with gasoline and put in your diesel truck. Let me know how that works out for you.
  • Well saw. (28/02/2024, 15:41) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    We really don't have vision..
  • black (28/02/2024, 15:45) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    That man screwed up the waste industry in Trinidad and now he going to save the BVI......Pure bull shigadie. He and friends will collect that paper,
    Why invest in this and not collect any revenue? We on to you Mr. Big brains Solomon.
  • MIX IT WITH THE ASPHALT FISHBAY (28/02/2024, 16:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    IS THE 3RD DISTRICT THE DUMPING GROUND FOR THE BVI? NO WONDER THEY CALL IT HOG CITY!
  • Market research (28/02/2024, 17:53) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Looking at those tanks I cannot understand what waste oil these are for. Those tanks are much too small to be taking waste oil from any commercial businesses (auto shops, boatyards ect..)....And I am not sure that any individual persons go specifically to dispose of waste oil (here I may be wrong). But with a schedule of shipping out every 3 months - that amount of space for storage will do very little or nothing at all - the majority of the oil will still end up on the dump site. Did they do any research on the space volume needed before going ahead and spending money on this?
  • Beacon of hope (28/02/2024, 18:00) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Common sense says that if a product is wanted by others, then, there is a measure of value in it. One penny, even though it value very little has value. Why give away some to a richer than ours for nothing in return?

    Politically speaking, Who is really running the BVI financial affairs, could it be the Devil (singular) or Devils Plural?
    • PoliFarmer (29/02/2024, 09:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Like, make it make political sense! WHYYY is the oil being shipped out to a recycling market WITHOUT receiving payments? If we are not collecting it, then WHO is?

      What in the name of Politics is this Minister of Health?
  • Observer (28/02/2024, 19:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Storing Dangerous waste like waste oil in Plastic? Not too smart. Another GROUNDWORKS breaking Project from this Trini Man.
  • See (28/02/2024, 22:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Plenty of money will be made for a few insiders.
  • smh (29/02/2024, 08:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do you know we live in a technological world? Fact checking is so easy.


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