Gov’t makes another push to remove derelict vehicles

It seems the government is making another effort to rid the territory of derelict vehicles — an issue which became prominent after the 2017 hurricanes visited the BVI.

The Department of Waste Management has announced that it is now accepting quotations for barge services to transport derelict vehicles from Virgin Gorda to Tortola.

Director Marcus Solomon said they need a “barge capable of accommodating derelict vehicles, equipment and scrap metals — approximately 150 pieces.”

He said the barge will be loaded with loaders and or excavators at the St Thomas Bay Ferry Dock and the cargo will be transported to Pockwood Pond dock at the derelict vehicle storage site. The loading, offloading and transportation process is estimated to take two to three days.

The Department of Waste Management also said it is seeking companies with heavy duty equipment to remove derelict vehicles from a barge docked at Pockwood Pond, Tortola.

The contractor will be required to load derelict vehicles, equipment and scrap metals [approximately with loader or excavators onto trucks and transport for packing to a designated area on the storage site.

While campaigning for office, the now Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Lorna Smith had promised to make a greater push for the removal of derelict vehicles from the territory — an exercise which has been halted many times since it started after the 2017 disasters.

More than 2,000 tonnes of scrap metal from derelicts have already left the BVI for Colombia for recycling. Elected leaders have stated that the issue persists partly because some owners and mechanics are holding on to derelicts because they hope to salvage spare parts.