A United Kingdom company inked a government contract valuing more than $400,000 to conduct a feasibility study which will assist in developing a sustainable and modern landfill in the British Virgin Islands.
The Office of the Premier made the announcement via a media release on Thursday, stating that the contract was signed on August 17 through the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) with WoodGroup UK Ltd for a total of $404,000.
The contract will include designs and ultimate contracting of a modern means for managing waste that forms part of a cohesive Waste Management Strategy.
According to the release, the duration of the contract is 18-months and is expected to provide the BVI government with recommendations needed to develop the most responsible and cost-effective means to dispose of landfilled waste in the territory for the next 40 years.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Andrew Fahie said that addressing waste management has been more than a decade long conversation, and it is time to address it once and for all.
He said, “As a government, we are irrevocably committed to the health and well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands and waste management is a crucial part of this process. This is extremely important because it will not only ensure that our whole environment looks clean but is clean.”
The premier added that the territory is aware of the challenges of open burning at Pockwood Pond and in Virgin Gorda and he said this contract is a step in the right direction as the Virgin Islands shifts into its next paradigm.
Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Social Development Carvin Malone said that his government is taking a holistic approach to waste management.
He said, “This is a very important step in accomplishing our goals towards sustainable development, towards ensuring that waste is given its prominence in a healthy environment. We cannot be indirectly and indiscriminately disposing our waste and think that our environment can be protected.”
According to the Premier’s Office the procurement of this contract was done in accordance with the RDA’s procurement policy and general procedures.