The Government of the Virgin Islands has signed a contract for the construction of an Inspection Chamber, Wet Wells and Mechanical Components for the Long Swamp Pump Station at the Cutlass Tower.

The contract in the amount of five hundred and eleven thousand, seven hundred and eighty-six dollars and ninety-seven cents ($511,786.97) was awarded to Mr. Patrick Mitchell of Bio-Safe Treatment and Septic Solutions and will also see the procurement and installation of pumps at the station.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley stated that his Government is working to upgrade the sewage and road infrastructure to a better condition in areas including Cane Garden Bay and in Road Town as well as Burt Point.

The Premier said, “We are making a strong effort, sometimes those efforts are frustrated or delayed, but I have made a commitment and a determination that before the end of this term we are going to have our sewage situation sorted out in East End Long Look and we are going to have better roads. Part of the delay in being able to improve the road network in East End Long Look has to do with the works that we have to do with the sewage. I am determined as well that we will replace the old water lines in the distribution network."

Minister for Communication and Works Honourable Kye Rymer gave a synopsis of the works to be completed at the Long Swamp Pump Station and noted that the project has experienced some setbacks.

Honourable Rymer said as the minister responsible for the Territory’s sewerage network, he is constantly faced with questions of when would the decades-old issue of sewerage in East End and Long Look area be addressed.

Honourable Rymer said, “Today I am happy that we can get this major component of the project signed and I am also pleased that in short order we should be back to sign another major contract for the repair of the Paraquita Bay Waste Water Treatment Plant and the construction of a Sludge Treatment facility.”

Chief Executive Officer for Bio-safe Treatment & Septic Solutions, Mr. Patrick Mitchell thanked the Government of the Virgin Islands for choosing his company to complete the works at the Long Swamp Station and called for the creation of an educational platform where business owners of restaurateurs, laundromats and garages can learn about the importance of proper disposal of their by-products.

Mr. Mitchell said, “I know this was something that was supposed to happen a long time ago as the Premier said, but it’s great to see it happening for the first time at least in the East End area. I hope that we do an educational programme in terms of what we are going to do in East End. ”

The full video of the contract signing can be viewed on the Government’s Facebook page at BVIGovernment.

The Ministry of Communications and Works continues to ensure the continued development and maintenance of public infrastructure in keeping with international standards so that public utilities are reliable and affordable in support of an enhanced community life for every resident and visitor in the Virgin Islands.

Photo 1 (Left to right): Minister for Communication and Works Honourable Kye Rymer, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works Mrs. Elvia Smith-Maduro, Mr.Patrick and Kern Mitchell of Bio-safe Treatment & Septic Solutions, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley.

Photo 2 & 3: photos of the contracts being signed

(Photo credit: GIS/R. Frazer)