NDP gov’t focused on Pier Park and neglected infrastructure — Premier

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has blamed the previously governing National Democratic Party for failing to invest adequately in the territory’s basic infrastructure, arguing that millions were instead poured into projects such as the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. Speaking last week on the Virgin Islands Voice programme, Dr Wheatley said his government inherited ageing water infrastructure, leaking reservoirs and a dysfunctional pressure management system — problems he suggested were years in the making. “In the prior administrations, the priorities were the hospital and the Pier Park. That’s where we spent our money,” Premier Wheatley said. He specifically questioned whether spending approximately $80 million to $90 million on the Pier Park was the best use of public funds, arguing that private investors could potentially have financed the development.

“We literally took money from our infrastructure, including our sewerage, to be able to do the Pier Park,” the Premier charged. Premier Wheatley said those decisions have contributed to some of the infrastructure problems residents are experiencing today. The comments came as a BVI News story about sea bathing on Jost Van Dyke has garnered regional attention, triggering comments from the government that the reports are sensationalised and portray the BVI in a negative light. According to Premier Wheatley, little was invested in the water distribution network during the two administrations before his government took office. While investments were made to increase water production through BiWater and Seven Seas, he said the ageing distribution network was largely neglected. The Premier said his administration secured the $100 million infrastructure loan — the largest loan in the territory’s…