The repair works to the damaged incinerator at Pockwood Pond are nearing completion according to a recent update by the Honourable Vincent Wheatley, the Minister for Health and Social Development.
Speaking during a recent sitting of the House of Assembly, Wheatley presented a comprehensive overview of the British Virgin Islands’ waste management initiatives, highlighting significant progress on the ongoing work on the incinerator.
Minister Wheatley shared that damaged parts have been successfully disassembled from the structure, while the completion and receipt of transfer rams mark a crucial milestone. He noted that while the control panel is at an advanced stage, there remain some delays on other key critical components.
“The control panel is 90 percent completed, and the quench tank and ash conveyor are completed and should arrive in the territory by the end of this month,” Wheatley stated.
He added, “However, the heat exchange is experiencing some delays, which we hope to have rectified in short order. Additionally, work has begun on the incinerator building to ensure the safety of the staff and facilitate the functioning of the incinerator.”
Tenders to be issued soon
In addition to the incinerator updates, Minister Wheatley outlined a multifaceted approach to waste management. He said the team is actively applying intermediate and final soil cover to dumpsites, introducing controlled waste picking and salvaging.
“The department is also engaging with their contractors periodically to conduct quality assurance and improvement meetings. Additionally, the tender package for the redesign and maintenance of the dumpsite located at Pockwood Pond will soon be advertised. Another tender package will also be advertised for the acquisition of modern landfill equipment such as a landfill compactor and bulldozer to increase the Department’s capacity to manage the waste, to reduce the likelihood of fires and land slippage. Fourteen new public garbage bins have also been constructed,” the minister explained.
60 recycle bins & 14 new public garbage bins
Furthermore, Wheatley reported the construction of fourteen new public garbage bins, reinforcing the commitment to community waste disposal.
He also emphasized the ongoing development of a waste oil storage facility, noting that residential waste oil drop-off and collection commenced on March 5, 2024, with exported oil designated for treatment and recycling. Minister Wheatley also announced the awarded contract for the construction of 60 recycle collection bins under the WE RECYCLE programme.
Recycling reaping results
In an exemplary demonstration of recycling efforts, Wheatley revealed that the department successfully baled and shipped 3 million plastic bottles for the year and said approximately 120,000 pounds of aluminium and scrap metal are being shipped monthly.
Wheatley also addressed the issue of derelict vehicles, stating that the Ministry of Health and Social Development is finalizing a tender package for the recycling of derelict vehicles and scrap metal.
“The Department is also working on strengthening enforcement and has issued seven litter removal orders and tagged 30 derelict vehicles, with 14 being removed for the year thus far,” he added.
Minister Wheatley expressed confidence in the department’s trajectory, assuring that the outlined efforts position the Department of Waste Management on track to achieve its 2024 objectives.