BVI News

Vital parts finally procured to bring incinerator back online

The incinerator/waste facility at Pockwood Pond on Tortola.

The Waste Management Department has revealed that it has received the vital parts for the Pockwood Pond incinerator as the territory works to bring this essential machinery back online.

Director of the Waste Management Department Marcus Solomon said transfer arms have been procured, adding that the department is expecting the arrival of the control panel and two more pieces of equipment.

He said works will begin to remove the roof of the structure housing the incinerator when the full complement of equipment is on island, followed by the changing of the parts and the testing of the incinerator’s electrical system to ensure the facility is operable.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Vincent Wheatley said fail-safe measures are in place in the event that the system fails.

“The ministry is currently working on a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a brand new plant and waste strategy. So irrespective of if this works or not, we are moving forward with a brand new strategy for waste in the Virgin Islands,” the minister stated.

He added: “What is currently happening here is not sustainable and we have to move away from this as quickly as possible. That proposal should be out to the public before the end of the month.”

Recently, United Kingdom officials promised to offer help with the management of waste in the territory but it’s not clear whether they offered monetary assistance for the repair of the incinerator.

Meanwhile, residents are reminded to do their part to keep the Virgin Islands clean and green. Solomon said the community should reduce consumption. Instead, they’re urged to re-use, repurpose and recycle where possible.

He added that his department is exporting derelict vehicles and scrap metals to countries and efforts are also being made to export waste oil and materials.

The public is also asked to refrain from putting flares, gas tanks, empty AC gas canisters and other flammable and combustible items into the garbage stream.

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11 Comments

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  1. What!!!! says:

    Gonna make no difference without a scrubber.
    Same toxic smoke being emitted just from a different source.

    Like 14
  2. Failures says:

    If I’m not mistaken this incinerator has been broken since 2017. 5 years later we still don’t have all the parts to fix it. We still don’t have the scrubber that was ordered how many years ago? How is no one held accountable for this abject failure? This sort of incompetence would put a private company out of business but here it’s just business as usual….

    Like 26
  3. Anonymous says:

    More thiefing as usual.

    Like 13
  4. Anonymous says:

    More corruption as usual.

    Like 11
  5. More smoke. says:

    Years ago it was finally admitted that the company that manufactured the incinerator no longer made that model and therefore had no parts for them, like the scrubbers. So suddenly there are parts on order, just not scrubbers. The building this incinerator is in has been burnt up at least twice that we know of. Why are we bothering with any of this outlay of money?

    Also, why would we be wondering if the UK is going to help with financing this project? Every time they have ever offered assistance of any kind, even monetary, they’ve been refused. Why would they offer assistance now?

    Just more smoke blowing up the voting public, taxpayers, butts. We already getting enough smoke. We don’t need any more.

  6. Jim says:

    The incinerator

    BVIs dirty little secret

  7. Curious says:

    Why did we pay 440K for a Feasibility Study that was supposed to provide everything that is now to be included in a new RFP. We have paid for 2 Consultancies, paid for 2 Waste Strategies, paid for a very expensive feasibility study that all say the same thing! Now a new RFP….when do we get to investing in solution instead of more pieces of paper???

  8. No accountability says:

    Incinerator breaks down 6 years ago, no one responsible for hundreds of death from cancer in West End.

    One big circus with lots of clowns..

  9. Virgin Gorda says:

    Where is the Incinerator for Virgin Gorda? Ah Beg. Hon. Wheatley, Pray tell us. Virgin Gorda is on Auto Pilot.

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