Minister discusses
Telecoms and Infrastructural Projects
A soon-to-be-established Search and
Rescue Unit will provide a continuous 24-hour maritime radio
watch in the BVI, it was announced here recently.
Responding to a question relating to the monitoring of radio
channel 16, 156.8 megahertz (mHz), Minister for Communications
and Works the Honourable J. Alvin Christopher clarified this
was not known as Tortola Radio, as the Opposition Leader stated.
He explained that Tortola Radio was a maritime coast radio station
operated by Cable and Wireless until October 31st, 2000.
Currently, the Fire and Rescue Department provides limited monitoring
of VHF channel 16 through frequency scanning. The Minister said
funding has not yet been provided for procurement of the necessary
equipment to conduct a continuous dedicated watch of that frequency.
“However, in accordance with plans for the development of
a Marine Unit under the Ministry, financial provision is being
sought for the establishment of a Search and Rescue unit.”
Regarding Cable & Wireless, the Deputy Chief Minister and
Minister for Communications and Works recently stated that a
negotiating team for the government had been selected to re-negotiate
government’s telecommunications agreement with Cable &
Wireless. The assistance of Oftel in the UK will be requested
to provide a technical advisor to assist with the review of the
telecommunications services in the territory.
The local team is comprised of the Attorney General, Permanent
Secretary/Ministry of Communications and Works, a representative
of the UK Radio communications agency, a telecommunications consultant,
the Director of Financial Services, Head/Development Planning
Unit and the Head of the Telecommunications Unit.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, we are in the process of formalizing strategy
and will present to the people of the Virgin Islands a modern
policy on telecommunications,” Hon. Christopher announced.
He said the negotiation would follow the policy as developed
and articulated by government. “The public will have an
opportunity to comment and recommend changes, following which
the government will finalize the policy; the objectives of the
negotiations will be based on the policy.”
ELECTRICITY
The Minister reported that commissioning
tests are ongoing for unit No.5 at the BVI Electricity Corporation’s
Pockwood Pond Power Station. He said a number of problems were
experienced with the wiring of the governor, which has pushed
Rolls Royce’s programme back by a week. The two major tests
to be executed before the 7-day reliability trial are the 24-hour
full load run and the load rejection test.
The projected dates for reliability trials for unit no: 5 is
- start April 20 with an early finish of April 26; no: 6 - April
30 to May 6 and unit no: 7 - May 26 to June 1.
“The major reasons for the delay in getting the new engines
up and running were (due to the) procurement and installation
of GRP pipe-work for the sea water cooling of the 3 generators
being installed; this system is now complete and has been tested
and commissioned,” Minister Christopher reported.
He said the delay is not expected to cause any cost increase
to taxpayers. The BVIEC is claiming a reduction in the contract
price for units 5 and 6 and has served notice on Rolls Royce
of its intention to also claim for a price reduction for unit
no: 7.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
Much progress has already been made
in the planning and preparation processes for the implementation
of traffic lights in the BVI, according to Hon. Christopher.
At the November 3rd, 2000 sitting, he informed Members that the
implementation process would begin shortly. “At that time,
we were in the process of identifying the type of poles we would
need, given the territory’s vulnerability to hurricanes,”
he recalled.
At a meeting held with the consultancy firm of A&B Electric
Ltd. on January 15th, 2001, the consultants made a presentation
and the proper size poles were agreed on. Subsequently, a quotation
showing the material quantity and prices was submitted to the
Ministry on April 3rd.
The consultant has indicated that it would take about 14-16 weeks
for the poles to arrive in the territory and therefore, the order
has already been place, the Minister said. He said in the meantime,
as much electrical work as possible will be carried out in preparation
for their installation. Conduits will be laid from the Road Town
Police Stations to the intersections by Treasure Isle and Pasea
Estate and back to the Traffic Licensing Department.
“Honourable Members would appreciate that it is difficult
to give a realistic completion date for the project at this time,
because hiccups do occur along the way,” he responded. “Nevertheless,
I would like to see those lights installed by late in the second
quarter or very early in the third quarter of this year.”
ROADS
The Minister was asked what price per
cubic yard government pays to private contractors for the supply
of asphalt to pave roads. He gave that figure as $330.00.
The cost for the resurfacing of the Blackburn Highway from the
HLS Community College to the Port Purcell roundabout was given
as approximately M$1.103, for the overlay, raising of the road
at Kingston and improving the drains along the route. The approved
budgetary amount was M$1.
The Public Works Department’s estimated cost for the resurfacing
of the Drakes Highway from Fort Burt to West End is approximately
M$2.957. Mr. Christopher said the project would be completed
once the necessary funding has been identified and approved.
Moving on, he answered questions about the new Beef Island Bridge,
he announced that the project should now be completed by 14th
May 2001.
AIRPORT
On whether there were any cost variations
for the Beef Island Project, the Minister reiterated that the
cost of this project stands at approximately M$56. This, he said,
includes the cost of some instructed variations, re-measurement
of tender quantities and settlement of some claims from contractors
on Phase 1A. This includes Package 1 - Building and Package 2
- Landside Infrastructure.
“The final cost of variations is subject to valuation under
the terms of the individual contracts, but should be within the
abovementioned total project budget,” he stated.
He said consideration is being given to an alternative source
of dredged sand for the runway extension. However, this has not
yet been identified and hence the financial and time implications
of use of an alternative sand source, if instructed, cannot be
confirmed at this time.
He said it was the plan to dredge the Lee Bay area of Great Camanoe
to use as fill for the runway extension. However, he said following
a recent meeting with the Conservation and Fisheries Department
and a delegation of fishermen, the plan is being re-considered
based on information presented to the government with respect
to Lee Bay.
The Conservation and Fisheries Department and the Airport Environment
Management Group would make recommendations for other options.
SEWERAGE
And, the Minister said the government
realizes the urgency of the present situation regarding the sewerage
problem and in an effort to save time, has entered into discussions
with the Louis Berger Group of Washington D.C.
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