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by pltm
(PLTM) - The St. Thomas Bay dock on Virgin Gorda (VG) is in a bad state, but residents will have to wait a little longer before anything is done to address the issue. The single dock is used for both ferry and cargo traffic.
In the House of Assembly yesterday, February 23, Hon. Dr. Hubert O'Neal, Ninth District Representative said that he was surprised that no money was allocated this year to allow for repairs to the dock.
"What is happening now, that dock which was built many, many years ago is beginning to crumble. I was hoping to see in the budget some monies assigned for the repair of that dock. Not just to repair the dock, but also extend a cargo ramp to the southern end of that dock," he lamented.
Dr. O'Neal said, "I know there was money in the budget before for this project, but now I don't see it there and I hope the Premier can revisit that to see if we can get some money there to get the much needed repairs to the St. Thomas Bay dock."
The Ninth District Representative also repeated the proposed plans to address separating the ferry and cargo by building a port facility at Manchineel Bottom. He said that he has already presented this plan to his colleagues.
"There is a master plan which I have discussed with the Minister of Communications and Works about moving the ferry terminal to the northern side of the harbour, Manchineel Bottom side, and to develop there, so that the ferries would in fact dock over there," he said.
Dr. O'Neal further stated, "Therefore, the traffic will totally be separated from the cargo...I have made some presentations in Caucus and I hope to one day get that project underway for the people of Virgin Gorda."
Residents continue to complain about government's failure to address the issue at the dock.
"That dock is an accident waiting to happen...Until somebody important in high society gets injured down there, or God forbids, dies, nothing will happen. We talked about it over and over...It is time for us to do something about it," a VG resident had expressed.
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