Amid applause from senior public officers and political supporters, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley talked up his government’s efforts to repair infrastructure, fire up the economy, and ensure food security during his second Territorial Address on Tuesday evening.
In the wide-ranging 91-minute speech marking his administration’s mid-term, the premier claimed the government has begun delivering on promises to fix the territory’s much-criticised road network and launch other projects after securing a record $100 million bank loan last year.
He also signalled that construction will start within months on a much-anticipated food-processing complex, and he promised that the sewage-treatment plant in Paraquita Bay will be commissioned by July.
Additionally, he said the tourism industry has reached levels not seen since the twin hurricanes of 2017 as he pointed to increasing visitor arrivals and progress toward finding a partner to resurrect the abandoned Prospect Reef Resort.
As of Beacon press time yesterday afternoon, the premier’s extensive claims had gone unchallenged by the opposition, and Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn and his colleagues did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Infrastructure
During the speech, Mr. Wheatley said a recent infrastructure drive has seen six miles of road resurfaced with asphalt on Beef Island and key areas on Tortola including Joes Hill, East End and the Ridge Road.
Work is also moving ahead in phases on Virgin Gorda, the premier said, as he pointed to efforts in the North Sound area.
Mr. Wheatley added that government has committed to dealing with ongoing water and sewerage issues, including through the recent recommissioning of the Burt Point wastewater-treatment plant.
Such projects, he said, have been delayed in part because the territory’s infrastructure is still dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
“It is important to note that we did not receive substantial financial assistance comparable to our counterparts, who benefited from significant capital grants,” he said.
To address such legacy hurricane problems, Mr. Wheatley said that his government, which took office after the April 2023 general elections, has taken bold financial steps.
“Despite these obstacles, the government made the unprecedented decision to borrow $100 million, resulting in notable improvements in infrastructure services throughout the territory,” he added.
He did not address successive governments’ refusal to access a recovery-loan guarantee worth about $400 million offered by the United Kingdom government shortly after Hurricane Irma.
Tourism numbers
Turning to tourism, Mr. Wheatley said the Virgin Islands recorded more than one million visitors last year for only the second time in its history, which amounted to a record post-2017 high.
“It was a substantial 9.8 percent increase compared with 2023, and this impressive growth was witnessed across all categories,” he said.
Mr. Wheatley said the figures, coupled with increased flights to Beef Island, strengthened the case for moving ahead with the controversial expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.
“The way is clear for the project to take off,” he said. “Increased airlift is good news for putting heads in beds.”
Prospect Reef
Meanwhile, the rebuild of Prospect Reef Resort has “moved closer to reality,” he added, describing a “strong response” to a recent request for expressions of interest to develop the derelict property.
Bids, he said, are currently being assessed for what is expected to be a four-star 150-room hotel with a 300-person-capacity conference centre.
Mr. Wheatley also defended his government’s record on financial services, though he did not directly address an impending decision by the Financial Action Task Force over whether to place the VI on its grey list of jurisdictions that need tighter scrutiny.
The territory, he said, has worked hard to comply with recommendations the FATF’s Caribbean arm laid out in a scathing report on the territory released in February 2024.
Food security
The premier also touted plans to boost local production, promising that work on the long-awaited new agriculture and fisheries complex will start in the final quarter of this year. The facility, he said, will provide key infrastructure for food producers across the VI.
In a further bid to boost agriculture and “food security” for the territory, the premier said advanced plans are being drawn up for a reservoir to help farmers in Paraquita Bay.
