The longstanding East End sewerage issue is set to be addressed in short order with the appropriation of $4 million in funds. This was confirmed by the District representative, Minister Natalio Wheatley within a detailed address to the 7th district last night.
$4 MILLION ASSIGNED
The Minister said “we are going to restart the sewerage program here in the 7th and 8th Districts. For many years persons have been speaking about this sewage project and unfortunately, even today we have sewage water running on the streets in the 7th and 8th districts. It is something that I don’t like. It is something that we have to correct.”
“I’m grateful to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Transportation and Works for securing $4 million dollars to get the sewage water off the streets. This $4 million will also allow persons in this community to get jobs because we believe the economic opportunities in this district should create jobs for this community. Thank God for that” he said
In an invited comment Premier Fahie said “During the last administration $8million was allocated to fix the East End/Long Look Sewage problem. However, the funds were illegally transferred to the Cruise Pier Project to complete that project. The funds were never return to the East End/Long Look project thereby leaving the people of the Eastern End of Tortola to further suffer. Now this Government has this project as high priority.”
“Through such efforts we now see BVIPA grant $3 million to the project and TRC grant $1 million of the $2 million dollars grant to the East End/Long Look Sewage project. This gives a grand total of $4 million dollars towards the project which will resume within two months’ time”, he said added.
MAJOR ISSUE FOR RESIDENTS
Residents have long complained about the chronic sewerage issue that spans across the territory. Earlier this year, Chief Environmental Officer, Lionel Michael had shared concerns noting “in a given week, we get about four to five reports of various complaints. The odor that comes from the inadequately treated sewerage in the communities is discomforting for people but there are no reported cases of waterborne or foodborne diseases as a result of this. But, yes, it is a major threat,” Michael stated.
POLITICALLY HALTED FOR YEARS
The project has been politically terminated several times through successive governments. Before entering into public office, CEO of Caribbean Basin Enterprises Limited, Carvin Malone secured a contract for the East end Long Look project under the VIP administration but that contract was terminated in 2006 under the NDP.
NDP contracted Global Water for the treatment of the sewerage water on September 19th, 2006 , however, when the VIP regained Governance, the contract was not executed.
Instead, BI-Water was contracted and eventually built the sewerage treatment plant located in Paraquita Bay.
Global Water is now suing the Government for a breach of contract.
Under the newly-proposed project, a pumping station will be constructed in Long Swamp and sewage lines will be installed, connecting homes to the main line which will then transport sewerage to the treatment plant in Paraquita Bay.