Accessibility
Text size
Blaming the National Democratic Party (NDP) for the Territory’s water crisis after years in government is “a shame” and “a travesty”, Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has charged.
Speaking on the NDP’s radio programme on October 7, Penn criticised Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley for pointing to the former administration’s spending priorities while residents continue to face unreliable water, infrastructure and electricity services.
“This government (Virgin Islands Party) has spent over billions of dollars over the past seven years going into their eighth year and still blaming somebody else,” Penn said.
“Leadership leads. You don’t blame someone else for not doing what you’re supposed to do.”
His comments follow Wheatley’s assertion that the NDP prioritised the hospital and Tortola Pier Park during its 2011–2019 administration while making virtually no investment in water distribution. The Premier alleged that Pier Park diverted funding from infrastructure, including sewerage, contributing to the problems residents face today.
Penn defended the hospital and Pier Park, pointing to their benefits for the Territory and its people. He contrasted those projects with the current Government’s spending on entertainment, including the show featuring Jamaican dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, which he argued had left nothing comparable to show.
Turning to water funding, Penn said he had reviewed past budgets and claimed the Government had close to $50 million available for water infrastructure over its years in office, yet service had progressively worsened.
He also questioned why the declaration of a national water emergency in June 2025 had not produced faster improvements.
Penn argued that the declaration allowed the Government to procure pipes, fittings and equipment through single-source arrangements, bypassing lengthy tender procedures to address urgent needs.
“You still haven’t gotten any closer to addressing the issue of water, particularly on the sister islands. We have to tackle the issue head on,” he said.
Penn maintained that the Government should take responsibility for resolving the problems and said an NDP administration would focus on moving the Territory forward.
Speaking on the NDP’s radio programme on October 7, Penn criticised Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley for pointing to the former administration’s spending priorities while residents continue to face unreliable water, infrastructure and electricity services.
“This government (Virgin Islands Party) has spent over billions of dollars over the past seven years going into their eighth year and still blaming somebody else,” Penn said.
“Leadership leads. You don’t blame someone else for not doing what you’re supposed to do.”
His comments follow Wheatley’s assertion that the NDP prioritised the hospital and Tortola Pier Park during its 2011–2019 administration while making virtually no investment in water distribution. The Premier alleged that Pier Park diverted funding from infrastructure, including sewerage, contributing to the problems residents face today.
Penn defended the hospital and Pier Park, pointing to their benefits for the Territory and its people. He contrasted those projects with the current Government’s spending on entertainment, including the show featuring Jamaican dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, which he argued had left nothing comparable to show.
Turning to water funding, Penn said he had reviewed past budgets and claimed the Government had close to $50 million available for water infrastructure over its years in office, yet service had progressively worsened.
He also questioned why the declaration of a national water emergency in June 2025 had not produced faster improvements.
Penn argued that the declaration allowed the Government to procure pipes, fittings and equipment through single-source arrangements, bypassing lengthy tender procedures to address urgent needs.
“You still haven’t gotten any closer to addressing the issue of water, particularly on the sister islands. We have to tackle the issue head on,” he said.
Penn maintained that the Government should take responsibility for resolving the problems and said an NDP administration would focus on moving the Territory forward.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
Community
Comments
What are your thoughts on this story? Share a respectful comment with the community.
Join the conversation
Your comment will appear after review. Email is only needed if you want reply or conversation notifications.