Relocate asphalt plant, create new jobs – PWD report
BVI News staff reporter - Thursday, December 27th, 2012 at 10:51 AM
Public works employees on the job
The Public Works Department (PWD) 2011 report has recommended the creation of a number of necessary job positions as  the territory has reached a point where the method of infrastructure development needs to be revised.
According to the report there is need for the following:
- Roads Operations Manager to develop and manage a comprehensive road and drain maintenance programme.
- Geotechnical Engineer to develop a programme for field and lab testing of soil and rock material.
- Hydrologist to develop programmes for analyzing all major watersheds and waterways throughout the territory to gather data.
“These positions are deemed necessary as the territory has reached a point where the method of infrastructure development needs to be revised; this is largely due to the availability of flat ‘developable’ land nearing its capacity and other areas being neither economically nor environmentally friendly for development,” the report said.
It added that  developments in mountainous areas are on the rise. It said the perils of mountainous development include embankment stabilization, drainage issues and issues with the rock and soil type.
“Government agencies should be leading the charge to ensure that the best advice is given with regards to the way properties are developed, primarily for government projects,” stated the report.
The PWD has submitted requests to the Department of Human Resources for the provision of these new posts as well as the funding to accommodate their implementation.
Asphalt plant relocation
The report also noted that the current industrial asphalt plant that was bought in 1986 has become financially exhaustive to constantly repair and maintain and most importantly, it has become an environmental hazard as it emits toxic fumes into the air. Further, the current location of the plant is no longer feasible as the landowners have requested that the plant be removed from their property.
“The plant is extremely rundown and will not survive being relocated,” said the report.
It further said that as the plant is critical for the execution of the department’s mandate in repairing and maintaining the territory’s infrastructure, a request was made to secure funding to purchase a new plant.
The report said a document has been submitted to the government including a proposal to relocate the asphalt operations to an alternative location noting that the PWD has estimated cost of procuring the new plant is about $1million.
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5 Comments
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Given the small size of the territory, often times there is a mix of residential, commercial and industrial operations. This mixture, though it may be necessary, adversely affects human health, the environment and quality of life. Consequently, to the maximum extent practical and possible every effort must be employed to effectively plan and zone to seperate these operations.
In regards to the asphalt plant, the technology exist to operate asphalt plants well within the maximum safe, permitted exposure level (PEL). Further, strict emission standards must be put in place. Operational cost will increase but the investment is critical to protecting human health, protecting the environment, and maintaining standard of living/quality of life. Plant should be relocated to a more industrial area.
Moreover, like in any other country, the PWD is a critical department for effective governance; it is needed. Currently, it appears to be experiencing some operational challenges. Nonetheless, these challenges are not insurmountable. The department just needs to be reshaped,refocused, realigned and restructured; planning, organizing, directing and controlling.
Additionally, locals can be trained to assumed the Roads Operations Manager, Geotechnical Engineer and Hydrologist positions. Why are we behind the eight ball on filing positions? We should be at the tip of spear with high school and college curriculum aligned to meet the territory’s job requirements.
Take out an old toxic emitting cancer causing asphalt plant to bring in a new cancer causing aslphalt plant. But they’ve never had any representation.
I’m certain that these 3 positions will be easily filled by BVI Belongers….
That’s a joke right? lol….
PWD needs to go….period
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