The Department of Waste Management is making some progress in its plight to have the incinerator back online after receiving a shipment of parts needed for the Pockwood Pond facility.
Director of Waste Management, Mr. Marcus Solomon confirmed in a media release on Wednesday that his department received a shipment containing transfer arms for the incinerator.
Solomon also revealed that his department is also anticipating the arrival of the long overdue control panel and “two more pieces of equipment”.
While the two pieces of equipment were not named, the director said works will begin on the incinerator once all the outstanding parts are received.
“Works will begin to remove the roof of the structure housing the incinerator when the full complement of equipment is on island, followed by the changing of the parts and the testing of the incinerator’s electrical system to ensure the facility is operable,” the release stated.
Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent Wheatley said plans are still full steam ahead to implement a new waste strategy plan for the territory.
He said, “The Ministry is currently working on a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a brand new plant and waste strategy. So irrespective of if this works or not, we are moving forward with a brand new strategy for waste in the Virgin Islands.”
“What is currently happening here is not sustainable and we have to move away from this as quickly as possible. That proposal should be out to the public before the end of the month,” he added.
With the incinerator offline the Department of Waste Management is asking the public to refrain from putting flares, gas tanks, empty AC gas canisters and other flammable and combustible items into the garbage stream.
For special instructions on how to dispose of the aforementioned types of materials, residents are asked to call the Department of Waste Management at 468-4934.