There is no definitive date as to when the long overdue scrubber device for the incinerator at the Pockwood Pond landfill will arrive in the British Virgin Islands.
This is according to the Minister for Health Carvin Malone, who made that disclosure during a recent interview with 284 News.
A scrubber device is used for removing pollutants from industrial exhaust streams. It is an air-stream pollution control device which uses liquid spray to remove solid and liquid particulate matter and gaseous pollutants which are either absorbed or chemically neutralized.
Minister Malone said the COVID-19 pandemic has continuously affected the revised timelines given by the manufacturer Consutech Systems LLC and as result there is no telling when the device will arrive in the territory.
“The scrubber seems to be an elusive item after many years and meeting this issue with the scrubber the company now has claimed that the close downs that they’ve had as it relates to the COVID-19 crisis has pushed them back in their schedule. So I cannot give a definitive answer right now as to exactly when I’d be able to get that,” he stated.
He added, “But it is an issue I came into office and met, an issue which I am committed to have it solved and an issue to which has been elusive.”
Will not be using other company – too much invested
Our news team also asked the minister if there were any plans to secure the needed device from another supplier following the failure to deliver the device as promised on numerous occasions.
Minister Malone replied that his government will not be seeking another manufacturer at this time due to two main factors.
The first being that the contracted company is one of few companies which specializes in the scrubber device, while the second reason was the amount of money already invested in getting the product.
He said, “It is a proprietary equipment in terms of the incinerator. It is made by a specific manufacturer that has the scrubber number one, and number two, the previous government had made substantial investments in procurement of it and we are determined not to let that investment go for naught.”
Nearby residents continue to be affected by polluted air
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the territory Minister Malone had stated in February 2020 that he was given assurance by Consutech Systems that the scrubber device would have arrived in the BVI within the first quarter of 2020.
More than one year later after this promised deadline, the device is yet to arrive in the territory.
The absence of a scrubber at the Pockwood Pond facility has been said to affect the respiratory health of persons in the immediate surrounding areas.
This was once again displayed at a recent community meeting held in the First District where a local male voiced his concerns regarding the smoke from the landfill which affects his household.
He said on many occasions he has to close all the windows in his home to prevent the smoke from entering and causing breathing difficulties.