Premier should buy water tanks for struggling residents
Bishop John Cline has challenged Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s government to put its money where its mouth is and purchase black water tanks for residents struggling through the territory’s water shortage.
Cline’s call follows public backlash over the Premier’s recent suggestion that residents purchase black tanks to store water as drought conditions compound the BVI’s longstanding water distribution problems. During a Facebook Live, Cline argued that the government has found millions of dollars for other initiatives and investments and should now find money to ease the burden on residents.
“You have the means, you have the money, because you find money for every pan that knocks,” Cline said in a statement directed at the Premier. “Now, this is an essential thing. And I’m pleading with you. Bring some relief.”
The longstanding NDP member pointed specifically to millions invested in Bank of Asia and another $2.5 million invested through the Jamaica-based Delta Capital Partners — investments that have recently attracted intense public scrutiny.
“Take some of that money,” Cline urged. “Those who don’t have a cistern, you can offer them a black tank.”
Cline said government could establish an arrangement with local suppliers where qualifying residents simply collect their tanks, rather than forcing families already grappling with high living costs to purchase them.
“Walk to Clarence Thomas, open an account, whatever, tell them go pick up a black tank,” he suggested.
For residents with cisterns, Cline proposed that government pay for two truckloads of water, while businesses could receive a partial subsidy on delivery costs. Cline explained that trucking, rather than the water itself, is creating much of the financial strain and claimed he previously paid roughly $600 for two loads.
“Some people don’t have that budget. Help them out,” he urged.
The BVI endured the Festival season despite the dry taps in many homes, but residents are now increasingly anxious as the back-to-school period approaches. With schools, households and businesses preparing for another busy period, continued interruptions could trigger a fresh wave of discomfort and frustration, particularly for families that will be forced to spend more money to purchase water for basic daily needs.
Copyright 2026 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
He should assist the ones in need with water tanks. He is about to take a huge chunk of the taxpayer’s money bet to take a trip to India, for what? who knows. And of course the only information he is going to come back with is pictures of him skinning his teeth standing next to Indian officials trying to be him important.
Suggesting that the primier should buy water tanksfrom MY MONEY is not a good idea.
Why the hell when you was planning and built a house, you did NOT put in or sufficient infurstructure to caputre water. And regulateyour personal consumption
India? No juju will work on the people this election season. We rebuke that from NOW
This is what irks me about this country. Everything has to come from government. If it isn’t the Premier, it’s the district representative. At what point do we stop being a breast milk-serving nation and get back to working by the sweat of our brow and helping ourselves?
Yes, water is an essential service, and government must address the infrastructure failures that have left so many without a reliable supply. But why is the first solution always another government handout? Why couldn’t a business that sells water tanks offer discounts to struggling families or partner with the private sector and community groups to help those most in need?
We’ve developed a culture where every problem seems to require a political solution. That’s neither sustainable nor healthy. Strong societies are built when government, businesses, churches, communities, and individuals all play a role, not when everyone waits for a politician to write a cheque.
What’s even more surprising is hearing this coming from Cline. At some point, we have to stop looking to government as the answer to everything and start rebuilding a culture of personal responsibility, private initiative, and community action.
Our ancestors built this territory through resilience, hard work, and self-reliance. They would be rolling in their graves at how far we have fallen as a nation.
Don’t be silly. The point of paying tax is to at minimum get the basic necessities. That is the governments job. If they can’t provide the water one way, they bloody well better provide it another way whether through provision of water tanks or subsidised water deliveries or both. What else you think the tax money there for…to look pretty, to lose (the make up story) and to throw parties while trekking the globe? You must stop it.
You can assist persons here as well bishop grind, not only the needy in africa where it is publicised.
I agree with pastor, we always have talk about help and no action of said help…yet money goes missing and nobody knows a thing..but we keep choosing to put up with this behavior so we to blame also tbh
I can’t drink water tanks. He needs to fill them up with water. and also buy at least 4000 gallons of water for each one. pay the trucks to bring it to your house and fill your tanks or cistern.
This bishop John cline is really part of indigenous entitlement elites club, he is presently helping his indigenous to convey the rational of water tank instead a fixing the problem.
So the VIP create the situation and then come with the solution, part-hair Fraser came with buy water and now natalio monetize the water crisis instead of fixing the problem, they all working together to suck the blood out of the BVI, that’s why they don’t want Myron on any seat or authority because he will break the cycle of family and entitlement elites.
If natalio can let off all that money to Vybz Kartel quarter million USD and bank of Asia $5.5 million dollars and now a Jamaican company getting $2.5 million dollars and all the parties and traveling could give the BVI water 5 times over and roads infrastructure and even social housing for struggling BVI people.
He does reach til Africa to sort out but can’t sort his own?
You are missing the whole point! Just shut up please…
No rent can be charged if a property doesn’t have constant access to water. Watch how quick things get fixed.
If I am paying you all this rent every month and you are not suppling me as your tenant water, then I am holding your rent until you supply water.
A COUNTRY OF BEGGARS AND CHEATS
Frazer is who need to do that gesture. he is the reason we’re in this water mess.
LAND LORDS AND RENTERS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR RENTERS WATER AND PARKING. I ALSO AGREE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ASSIST THE LOW INCOME RESIDENTS WITH WATER TANKS. SET UP A PROGRAM AND ASSIST THE ONES WITH A WATER TANK AND LET THEM BE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THE TANKS FILLED WHEN WATER IS AVAILABLE.
Really now that a huge amount of money is about to be spend on first class, hotels and other expenses to India half way around the world. I don’t see how the BVI is going to benefit in anyway from this trip. Just a waste of money. You all hurry up and send this man out of office.
No more house plans approved by Town & Country Planning unless a cistern is included. God sends water from the sky in abundance. Stop looking to government to put nipple in your mouth for every bloody thing.
When you listen or read the bill crap these idiots talk they act as if the money is their money so they have the right to scuander it. All these stupid ass spending for these artist to go back with their riches and live in their mansions with their water and we here stink and musty still having to pay to see them.
Priorities not right in the BVI and the dummies who are in power don’t bring justice to the real problems we face.
Politics time is really the silly season. It brings out the clowns.