Gov’t getting 100K worth of materials to distribute – Digicel

Telecom company Digicel said it is giving the government $100,000 worth of building materials to distribute to homeowners who don’t have insurance coverage, adding that it will prioritize a list of financial services leaders to equip with full communication solutions in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The company made those and other announcements a few days after its chairman, Denis O’Brien, visited the territory.

O’Brien met with Premier Dr D Orlando Smith, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Broderick Penn, minister responsible for telecommunications Mark Vanterpool, as well as Minister of Education and Culture Myron Walwyn.

“Emerging from that meeting [with Vanterpool], Digicel has committed US$100,000 worth of building materials to be distributed by the government to persons who lost their homes and are without insurance coverage,” said the multi-national telecoms provider.

It further stated that, during the meetings, Government highlighted that intervention in the financial services industry is a priority.

“To this end, Digicel will partner with the government to prioritize a list of the key financial services industry leaders to be equipped with full communications solutions in the shortest possible time. Providing these front-runners with fast and reliable communications is crucial to them being able to return to the BVI and support the stabilising of the economy,” Digicel further said.

It also noted its previously announced pledge to support reconstruction of Althlea Scatliffe Primary School, which the company had adopted under the government’s Adopt a School programme.

“It is hoped that Digicel’s contribution will act as a catalyst to motivate other members of the corporate sector to follow suit,” the firm said.

O’Brien added: “We would like to assure the people of the BVI that we stand with them as we all make strides to build back better in the wake of Hurricane Irma.” He, in the meantime, updated Vanterpool on network restoration.