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Approach to infrastructure shouldn’t change with new gov’t

Mark Vanterpool

The BVI’s approach to fixing and improving its infrastructure should not have to change with each new governing administration, Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool has argued.

Vanterpool pointed out that the territory can sometimes face major storms and disasters and then encounters situations where there can be grave difficulty in producing water and electricity for the economic continuation and growth of the territory.

“We have to see how they are linked and how they operate together,” Vanterpool said in the House of Assembly recently. “But it’s important for us to put that plan together and address that plan in a very systematic, methodical way.”

And while acknowledging that it is persons’ democratic right to do so, he described as ‘unfortunate’ the practice where governments change and everybody changes their approach and emphasis and the direction of how they want to see things go.

“But there are certain things that are integral and pertinent to the growth and development of the country and we must face them together, … not change them every time a government comes in—a government changes and the focus is changed completely.”

“Infrastructure is one of those things,” he continued. “We need roads — whether we are this government or the other government — properly designed [and] developed roads.”

He further argued that properly designed and developed roads require major capital, just in the same way that properly designed and developed water and sewerage systems need major capital.

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7 Comments

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  1. But says:

    It hasn’t….just patch and leave to rot, patch and leave to rot.

  2. What? says:

    You can’t do less than nothing. There have been no meaningful improvements in infrastructure to speak of.

  3. Rubber Duck says:

    Yes the current system is wonderful isnt it. Wonderful for the people ripping off every contract in the territory and leaving us with a totally disgraceful third world infrastructure while they grow rich.

    I wonder why he doesn’t want any changes.

  4. Island peep says:

    The infrastructure here has got worse in the last 30 years. No vision and no investment in the long-term. Mark is part of the problem. He needs to shut up and go away. Perhaps he should also say how he got so rich while in Government?

  5. Resident says:

    You have to ask what happened to the billions of Government revenue generated since the 1980s.

    We have third world infrastructure and an awful public education system.

    What a waste, because those funds aren’t going to be repeated. The BVI blew its opportunity. No second chances.

  6. BS says:

    Has he just realized the importance of fundamental infrastructure?

    Poor infrastructure has been a problem for decades here. Not being part of the solution to date, he can stop pretending to be a part of solutions going forward.

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