Premier accuses media of sensationalising JVD water crisis

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has accused the media of sensationalising water shortages on Jost Van Dyke, saying reports about residents bathing in the sea risk presenting a negative image of the Virgin Islands.

Speaking on Virgin Islands Voice on September 30, Dr Wheatley criticised coverage carried by the Jamaica Gleaner while acknowledging the difficulties residents face and the government’s responsibility to provide water.

“You know, when you don’t have water, it can be very frustrating, very difficult,” Dr Wheatley said.

The Premier said the great majority of residents were not seeking to bathe in the ocean and urged caution about promoting that image of Virgin Islanders.

“So we should be very careful about seeking to promote that image of ourselves as Virgin Islanders,” he stated.

The issue has previously reached the House of Assembly. Back in July, Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull said Jost Van Dyke residents had experienced three-and-a-half weeks without running water, with some bathing in seawater and businesses closing. He also said residents had proposed a water truck and a standpipe as practical responses.

During the programme, Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer said leaks between the water plant and reservoir had disrupted supply. Officials then pumped water into the main distribution line, where further leaks developed.

Rymer said residents agreed at a community meeting that access through a standpipe would suffice temporarily, and the government installed one at the production plant.

The Minister indicated in an earlier statement that residents could purchase potable water through that arrangement from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Dr Wheatley defended the government’s infrastructure spending, saying Rymer had inherited ageing distribution pipes, a defunct pressure management system and leaking reservoirs, with insufficient funding to address them.

He said the government secured a $100 million loan to finance infrastructure improvements, including an initial $8 million allocation for water works.

Premier Wheatley said he had instructed the Financial Secretary to secure additional funding for projects including transmission lines and a smart water system.