The contract signed on August 17, 2021, through the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) with Wood Group UK Ltd is for the sum of 404,000.00 for the designs and ultimate contracting of a modern means for managing waste that forms part of a cohesive Waste Management Strategy.

According to a press release from the Virgin Islands Recovery Development Agency (RDA) on August 19, 2021, the outputs from this 18-month technical assistance will provide the recommendations needed to develop the most responsible and cost-effective means to dispose of landfilled waste in the Territory for the next 40 years.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said that addressing waste management has been more than a decade long conversation, and it is time to address it once and for all.

'Time to address it once & for all'- Premier Fahie

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said that addressing waste management has been more than a decade long conversation, and it is time to address it once and for all.

“As a Government, we are irrevocably committed to the health and well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands and waste management is a crucial part of this process. This is extremely important because it will not only ensure that our whole environment looks clean but is clean,” the Premier said.

Premier Fahie said the Territory is aware of the challenges of open burning at Pockwood Pond and in Virgin Gorda and this contract is a step in the right direction as the [British] Virgin Islands shifts into its next paradigm.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) said Government is taking a holistic approach to waste management.

'We cannot be indirectly & indiscriminately disposing our waste'- Hon Malone

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) stated that Government is taking a holistic approach to waste management.

“This is a very important step in accomplishing our goals towards sustainable development, towards ensuring that waste is given its prominence in a healthy environment.

"We cannot be indirectly and indiscriminately disposing our waste and think that our environment can be protected,” Honourable Malone said.

'Project impacts the entire Territory'- RDA Acting CEO

Meanwhile, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the RDA, Mr Anthony S. McMaster said the project transcends all the islands in the Virgin Islands and efforts we must be made to ensure the sustainability of the future for present and future generations.

“This project impacts the entire Territory. While it is Government-led, we must understand that waste impacts all of us in every faucet of the way and is a partnership that must be taken seriously by all,” Mr McMaster said.

Mr McMaster added, “The success of this project is not based on the plans and the funding that Government has put in place. It is dependent on us as a community and as a Territory.”

The procurement of this contract, according to the press release, was done in accordance with the RDA’s procurement policy and general procedures. It said a request for expression of interest was published on the RDA, Government of the Virgin Islands, and the United Nations websites and the BVI Beacon newspaper.

Fourteen (14) international firms expressed interest in this opportunity and the top six were requested to submit detailed technical and financial proposals from which four proposals were received, the press release stated.