Signage likely wowed Duke
Government believes that the Duke of Gloucester has been “extremely impressed”
by the ubiquitous signs posted at construction sites and empty lots around the territory.
The signs, many of which were placed in recent days, mostly describe plans for proposed projects that have stalled or were never begun at all.
They are part of efforts to distract the Duke’s attention away from “anything even remotely unsightly or suggestive of bad governance,” according to a government press release.
“When someone sees a muddy project site overgrown with weeds, he or she may see an eyesore and wonder who’s in charge,” the press release said. “When the same person sees a shiny new sign, he or she will see progress and modernisation.”
Furthermore, if a sign is large enough, it can actually block the view of a messy construction site or an empty, overgrown lot littered with trash.
The initiative replaced an earlier plan to limit the Duke’s visit to tours of completed projects and successful undertakings.
“Officials experimented feverishly with various itineraries designed to keep the Duke from seeing anything unfinished, graffiti-covered or filthy,” according to the press release. “But ultimately, this was impossible.”
Then officials considered taking the Duke to U.P.’s Cineplex in a closed vehicle and showing him several 1960s videos of the Virgin Islands, but they decided that such a “digital tour” might raise more questions than it answered.
Signage
The signage initiative, which was conceived about two weeks before the Duke’s visit, is not entirely new.
For years, successive governments have employed a similar system to woo voters, posting signs at the proposed locations of community centres, parks and other public works.
In recent years, Road Town has in fact seen more new signs than actual projects. They describe various undertakings, many of which have yet to start: a refurbished farmers’ market at the Market Square; an elaborate new community centre; a redesigned Queen Elizabeth II Park with pathways, benches and trees.
“Unfortunately, the public has caught on: Community members have begun to realise that a sign about a park is not the same thing as a park. Residents now know that they can’t have a picnic on a sign, nor can they meaningfully walk their dogs there,” the press release said.
As the Duke is only here for a few days, however, officials reasoned that he would be unfamiliar with the system.
The initiative complemented other efforts carried out in a mad rush before the Duke’s visit, including cleaning areas that hadn’t been cleaned since Princess Anne visited in 2005.
Officials believe that the plan may have worked, as the Duke appears to have taken a “serious interest” in the signs, according to the press release.
Residual benefits
The cost of the initiative has not been disclosed, but officials said erecting signs is far cheaper than completing actual projects. Moreover, the signage is expected to pay for itself in terms of the future benefits it will bring.
“The Duke’s report to the Queen is likely to include mention of the signs, and of how progressive the territory appears because of them,” the press release said. “This may help convince the United Kingdom to grant the territory permission to take out more loans, even though it has exceeded the borrowing guidelines.”
After the Duke leaves, responsibility for the signs will be turned over to the BVI Tourist Board, which is considering marketing Tortola as “the destination with the most signs per capita in the Caribbean.”
Residents stand to benefit, too. As part of the Staycation programme, they will be permitted to look at the signs free of charge during the summer.
“This initiative,” the press release said, “is a win-win for everyone.”
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