Nearly $3M for Environmental Protection Fund
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced during his budget speech last month that the government has earmarked nearly $3 million for the Environmental Protection and Tourism Improvement Fund.
The government established the fund to support initiatives safeguarding the environment while enhancing the tourism sector, a vital component of the BVI’s economy.
“From the total revenue, we will contribute $2,897,367 to the Environmental Protection and Tourism Improvement Fund,” Premier Wheatley stated.
The fund has faced scrutiny in the past regarding its implementation and impact. In September 2017, the government introduced a $10 environmental and tourism levy for various categories of visitors entering the BVI. The government implemented the levy to finance activities related to environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and the maintenance and development of tourism sites. However, the levy sparked debates among stakeholders, with some questioning its potential effect on visitor numbers and the transparency of fund allocation.
Critics raised concerns about the levy’s impact on the tourism industry, a crucial sector for the BVI’s economy. Some argued that the additional fee might deter visitors, especially those on a budget, potentially leading to a decline in tourist arrivals.
Additionally, questions emerged regarding the management and utilisation of the collected funds, with calls for transparent reporting on how the money was being spent to ensure it effectively contributed to environmental and tourism improvements as intended. Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley emphasised the government’s dedication to environmental sustainability, identifying it as a national priority.
Derelicts threaten public health
He highlighted the pressing issue of derelict vessels in territorial waters, which threaten the environment, public health, and safety.
“In 2025, we will remove and properly dispose of derelict vessels with a comprehensive, multi-agency strategy,” he affirmed. Dr Wheatley indicated that the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change will lead this initiative and ensure that the clean-up adheres to best practices in waste disposal and ecosystem preservation.
Premier Wheatley said agencies will begin implementing their Green Pledge Implementation Plan to promote environmental consciousness within government operations. This includes offering “Green Thinking” training to raise staff awareness about the benefits of sustainable practices.
“Through the Public Service Green Pledge, we expect to reduce operating costs, create a healthier workplace, minimise waste, enhance public image, and increase resilience against dependency on imported fossil fuels,” Premier Wheatley said.
He encouraged the private sector to adopt similar initiatives and collaborate with the Ministry to advance these goals.
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“He encouraged the private sector to adopt similar initiatives and collaborate with the Ministry to advance these goals.”
You mean the same private sector that has been begging this Government to clean up this mess for the last decade plus? The same sector that has pledged millions to clean up many times over?
You and your disgusting Government have so marginalized and actively looked to destroy the private sector in your two terms of tenure. There is absolutely new trust, or willingness to work with you.
If we could export words, we’d be a world leader.
But we can’t, so our plummet into third world status continues, ever sharper.
Unless environmental sustainability takes into account sensitivity to the built environment, the islands will continue to be blighted with man-made eyesores.
It would appear that many of those who are responsible for design and planning suffer from defective vision.
Roger Burnett
Waste Management- Derelict Vehicles is only one aspect of the Environment. How about fixing the National Parks so that the tourist can have something to do when they get to the BVI. Making sure there are proper bouys for the charters so that they are not destroying our reefs. Enforcing the environmental laws so that we can protect what we have, creating new environmental laws to do the same. Instead of always having clean up campaigns, enforce the laws so that we can minimize the amount of resources allocated to cleaning up, if persons are fined they will think twice before committing the act. Take a look at how many offers assigned to patrol our borders, they are minimal to non existing. I have seen so many wrong doings and dangerous acts on our waters that never can exist anywhere else. Increase the marine enforcement officers give them the resources to do an efficient job. Stop talking s…… and do something logical, for once pls. Jesus!
You need cranes and barges to remove derelict vessels, not a comprehensive strategy document and all it takes to prepare it. The budget is about $ 2.9 million. No explanation as to how this sum was determined, or where funds originate.
At $20k/ hour rate for barge/crane (if you can get those kind of rates) , budget only allows for about 100 hours worth of work, the rest for disposal of the vessels and administrative costs in developing the strategy. Might be able to remove 10-20 derelict vessels.
Everyone in the BVi believes that they should be /entitled to be a millionaire so everything is over priced . $20K per hours is ridiculous .Out souce it , there are companies that would be happy for this opportunity.
Find out for yourself. Cranes on barges are not cheap. Operating them requires a certain level of skill. Risks can be high, so insurance is not cheap. Outsourcing won’t make much difference unless it’s a fly by night op with higher risks for screw ups.
$3 million is not enough money to remove all the eyesores on Tortola alone.
Exactly, 3 million is no way enough. that can’t even cover Nanny cay to Manuel Reef.
3 million dollars to again disappear into well situated whale mouths from top down, the leadership of this the Premier, elected and supreme leadership of this country.
watch that 3m dont get used and disappear bcuz the environment will still look like hot sewage water for another year agiain
For Friends & Family to clean up while appearing green . The tax payer “ isn’t as green as it’s cabbage looking”
the funds will disappear with nothing to show for it. That’s how BVI does it