Gov’t playing politics with sewerage — Penn

Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn has criticised the government for what he claims is political manoeuvring regarding the territory’s ongoing sewerage issues.

Speaking during a recent debate in the House of Assembly, Penn expressed frustration over the lack of action to address the worsening sewerage crisis, accusing the government of playing politics instead of solving the problem.
Penn argued that the government has had several years to address the issue, but little progress has been made. “To this day, this government has been in place since 2019. We’re now in 2024. Six years… and not a penny has been spent in District 8,” Penn said.

He expressed particular concern about the sewerage systems in Cane Garden Bay and East End, noting that despite government claims, nothing substantial has been done.

Penn also pointed out the health risks associated with the unresolved sewerage crisis, noting that residents are suffering due to the government’s inaction. “We continue to play politics with the sewerage issue, and people are becoming ill. The problem is extended throughout the entire community now,” he said. Penn cited places like Valley in Virgin Gorda, where the stench of untreated sewerage has become a regular nuisance.

One of Penn’s main concerns is the government’s approach to securing funding without a clear execution plan. He revealed that despite borrowing large sums of money for infrastructure improvements, there has been no indication of how the funds will address the sewerage problems.

“We’re borrowing more money… and we don’t have a clue on where we’re going with that project,” Penn emphasised. “The pump station, the transport station is in place. It started. The work started. It seems to be stalled for some reason. I don’t see any, if much activity, there at all.”

Penn urged the government to take decisive action and suggested that the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) should be responsible for handling the sewage project. Penn suggested that the RDA can independently assess the project’s cost and develop a plan free from political interference. “Let the RDA focus on it,” he said, calling for transparency and accountability in managing the territory’s finances.

Sewerage is a long-standing concern in the BVI, particularly in East End and Cane Garden Bay. Residents have voiced their frustrations over the lack of progress, which remains a bone of contention between the government and the Opposition.

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