One phase of the National Sewerage Programme, from Beef Island to Parham Town, has been successfully completed and work continues on other sections on Tortola as the Government of the Virgin Islands continues to work on remedying the sewerage problem throughout the Territory.

Over the past three to four weeks, crews have been working on installing sewerage and water distribution lines in the East End area from the Police Station in Long Swamp to the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) Centre in Fat Hog's Bay.

This forms part of the total infrastructural rehabilitation project, which involves the Water and Sewerage Department and the Public Works Department.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mr. Anthony McMaster said, "During this phase, sewerage lines will be laid at ten feet underground and this will be followed by the installation of the force mains at four feet under."

Mr. McMaster said that when this is completed, the water distribution lines, which are being upgraded from 6 to 8 inches, will be placed at four feet underground.

The next phase of the project will involve the Public Works Department constructing curb and slipper drains along the road.

"The slipper drains are essential for ensuring proper drainage and will also serve to preserve the integrity of the road in the long term," the Permanent Secretary explained, adding, "When this is completed, the Public Works Department will then completely resurface this stretch of the road."

McMaster said the Ministry of Communications and Works is aware of the inconvenience caused by the traffic diversions and some dust pollution, as this project is being undertaken. He has apologised for this inconvenience and assured the public that every effort is being made to effectively control the flow of traffic and minimize the dust pollution.

"It is a process. We are now putting a cement stabilization base on the road and this would significantly reduce the dust pollution and hopefully, within the next two days, residents should see the effects of that and this would also produce a smoother surface for motorists to drive on," Mr. McMaster said.

The Government of the Virgin Islands has pledged to continue working towards the completion and delivery of a working National Sewerage system.  Major upgrades have been made to the current sewerage system in Road Town and to the gravity transmission feeds in the areas between Chapel Hill and Greenland. The programme will aid in diminishing sewerage problems that have been plaguing the Territory for many years.

The Ministry of Communications and Works is committed to bettering the lives of residents and visitors to the Virgin Islands and building a strong Infrastructure which is reliable and sustainable for the Territory.