Gov’t denies promising amnesty on disputed water bills

The government has denied promising to forgive outstanding water bills as part of the transfer of water and sewerage services to the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation (VIEWCO).

Deputy Premier Julian Fraser made the denial in the House of Assembly after Opposition Leader Marlon Penn called on the government to honour what he described as a commitment to grant customers an amnesty on disputed arrears.

Penn said some residents and businesses had challenged the accuracy of their water bills for years without receiving a resolution. He argued that legislators had agreed to provide relief when they approved the law governing the transfer.

“We sat in this House, and we made a decision to create an amnesty for the people of this territory, did we not?” Penn asked.

Penn said customers needed clarity because the government had directed them to begin paying water bills through the new corporation from July 15. However, Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer told the House that VIEWCO was only providing customers with another payment option and that revenue continued to go into the Consolidated Fund.

Penn maintained that Rymer had not addressed the disputed arrears.

“The minister has not gotten up and said, we’re going to keep our word to the people of this territory and forgive the arrears, or forgive those questionable bills that were in place,” Penn stated.

He later asked the Minister of Finance to confirm that the government would extend the relief to businesses, families and customers who had queried bills without resolution.

Fraser, however, said Penn’s account did not match his recollection of the legislative commitment.

“The government never promised the public an amnesty for water,” Fraser stated.

He said the government had instead agreed that VIEWCO would not assume the outstanding water accounts when it took control of the service. Those debts would remain with central government for collection, allowing the corporation to begin without the arrears on its books.

“VIEWCO will start with a clean slate. And there’s no forgiveness of debt. The government will endeavour to collect that money,” Fraser stated.

The House passed the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation Bill in March, merging the Water and Sewerage Department with the electricity corporation into a single statutory utility. The legislation transferred water-related assets and liabilities to the corporation while requiring separate energy and water business units. The government also committed to covering the water unit’s operating expenses for up to 15 years or until it becomes financially viable.