Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has commissioned the East End–Long Look Sewerage Pump Station, describing it as a major milestone in a long-delayed infrastructure project for residents of the Seventh and Eighth Districts.
Speaking at the ceremony on February 17, Dr Wheatley said the commissioning marked progress on a project that had been promised to residents for years but had not moved forward.
“Today is a proud moment for the people of East End and Long Look communities, and indeed for the entire Virgin Islands,” Premier Wheatley said.
He expressed that the East End–Long Look Sewerage Project had been “overdue for far too many years,” noting that although money had been budgeted and commitments made in the past, “the work never got going and the funds were diverted to other things”.
Dr Wheatley said he had pledged to residents of the Seventh District that the neglect would not continue.
“I promised to ensure that the East End-Long Look Sewerage Project would finally move from talk to action, from drawings to delivery, from delay to progress,” he stated.
“Today’s commissioning is proof that we are keeping that promise,” he added.
According to the Premier, the sewerage project is being implemented in three phases, with each phase bringing the district closer to a completed system. He described the system as more than infrastructure.
“This sewerage system is not just a piece of infrastructure – it is an investment in public health, in dignity, and in the quality of life of our people,” Dr Wheatley stated.
He said a reliable sewerage system would result in “cleaner surroundings, safer water, and a healthier environment for families, businesses, and future generations”.
Premier Wheatley also commended Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer and the project team for advancing the works.
“Today’s milestone demonstrates that this government is working – steadily, deliberately, and transparently – to deliver on the commitments we made,” he stated.
He added that the government remained committed to completing the East End–Long Look Sewerage Project “in the shortest practical time, with the quality and accountability that the people deserve”.
The Premier thanked residents for their patience and said work on the wider project would continue. “Today, we celebrate progress. Tomorrow, we will continue the work,” Dr Wheatley stated.
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