Madam Speaker, large fires occurred at the dumpsite in Pockwood Pond on the evening of May 16^th and on the morning of May 22^nd, 2022, respectively.  Fortunately, no one was injured nor were there any damages to public or private equipment on site.  I am sadly aware, however, that smoke from the fires may have been a source of discomfort to residents on the western side of Tortola.

The Government of the Virgin Islands held an emergency public meeting to discuss waste management solutions for the Territory.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is requesting proposals for the repair, rehabilitation, commissioning, management, operation and maintenance of the Waste Water Treatment Plant at Paraquita Bay, Tortola.

Residents of the Virgin Islands are being urged to engage in waste reduction and recycling to reduce the garbage stream at Pockwood Pond in the absence of the incinerator which is offline.

The Department of Waste Management is advising the Virgin Gorda community that effective April 1, daily operation hours for the dumpsite are between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The public will not have access to the site outside of operation hours.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is inviting tenders for the collection of solid waste on Virgin Gorda for a period of three (3) years.

Assist Manager at the Department of Waste Management, Mr. Anslem Myers has said that the incinerator at Pockwood Pond will be offline for a couple of months after an early morning fire caused significant damage.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is determined to enact pieces of legislation that will holistically change the way that waste is treated in the Territory.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is requesting tenders for the Collection of Solid Waste in Tortola from Zone 1 through 6; North Sound and The Valley, Valley Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.

Residents on Anegada are advised that the Public Consultation Meetings on the 7R Waste Management Strategy and the Integrity in Public Life Act, 2021 that were scheduled to take place today, May 23 are postponed due to inclement weather.