The Virgin Islands has officially begun the process for a National Physical Development Plan (NPDP).

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE said the National Physical Development Plan is of utmost significance as his Government continues to address the Territory’s development needs. The Premier said its purpose is to select and put into practice those land uses that will best meet the needs of the people while safeguarding resources for the future.

Premier Smith added, “This plan is about looking ahead, setting the groundwork now for the entire Territory to benefit in the long run. We are positioning the Virgin Islands for the future.”

Chief Planner, Mr. Gregory Adams said the development of National Land Use Plans, is a requirement under the Virgin Islands’ Planning Act.

Mr. Adams said, “Smart land use is at the core of the plan,” adding, “Land-use planning for the Virgin Islands means assessing our land and water potential, alternatives for land use and economic and social conditions, in order to select and adopt the best land-use options.”

“We are calling our plan, ‘EnVIsion2040’ because it is essentially the vision for what the BVI will look like in, or by 2040,” Mr. Adams said.

The Chief Planner and the project’s technical team, led by Dr. Cassander O’Neal of Environmental Systems BVI, are meeting with stakeholders on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada to gather data and to conduct initial rapid assessment appraisals this week. Other members of the team, include Mr. Ronald Shishido, Ms. Christina Hovey, Mr. Rory Baksh and Mr. Michel Frojmovic.

The project will be done in five major phases, namely, the Project Preparation and Inception Report; Situation Analysis; Visioning; Introduction of the First Draft of the National Physical Development Plan; and Monitoring and Evaluation. Public consultation is expected to make up a significant portion of the Situation Analysis and Visioning phases. The project team is expected to provide the first draft of the national plan in 2018.

The National Steering Committee (NSC), along with the project team, is tasked with developing the National Engagement and Communications Strategy, which will manage the consultations and communications aspect of the plan.

The NSC comprises all Government’s permanent secretaries, and persons from the private and public sectors, reflecting various industries including agriculture, business, culture, tourism and financial services.

The NPDP, or ‘EnVIsion2040’, is being funded by the EU Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) and OECS projects, spearheaded by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour.

The BVI will share the OECS project funding with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Anguilla for technical assistance for the establishment of National Land Policies.

As it relates to Climate Change, the funding from GCCA and OECS projects will be dedicated towards the North Shore Integrated Coastal and Watershed Stabilisation Project, specifically, towards the Brewers Bay and Cane Garden Bay drainage works and the retrofitting of the Cane Garden Bay Sewage Treatment Plant.  Additionally, the construction of a revetment wall in Cane Garden Bay will improve the sea defences along the principal road. The pilot projects were launched by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour in February 2017.

For more information on EnVIsion2040, the EU Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) and OECS projects, visit bvi.gov.vg and follow the BVI Government on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

Photographs are attached.

Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE at the briefing session for the National Physical Development Plan/ EnVIsion2040. Premier Smith is joined by Permanent Secretary, Mr. Brodrick Penn; Chief Planner, Mr. Gregory Adams; and project consultants: Dr. Cassander O’Neal, Mr. Ronald Shishido, Ms. Christina Hovey, Mr. Rory Baksh and Mr. Michel Frojmovic. (Photo credit: GIS/ April Glasgow)