At the end of another year, the territory should take time to reflect on the successes and challenges of 2015 with a view toward forging a better Virgin Islands.
The past 12 months certainly saw much important progress, but because of related struggles and myriad unknowns we hesitate to celebrate unreservedly until this progress has stood the test of time.
Examples are many. Water and sewerage works, for instance, are finally seeing results after decades of delays caused in part by political infighting: This year, the new water plant in Paraquita Bay began producing at full capacity, and a sewerage treatment plant was completed at Burt Point. But questions remain about related infrastructure, and the sewage system that is to serve East End has yet to come on stream.
Similarly, the cruise pier development has been progressing more quickly than most public projects in the VI, but it is behind schedule and over budget, and officials have not adequately explained the implications.
So too with National Health Insurance: We fully support the goal of universal health care and believe that the NHI plan seems largely sound, but officials appear to be behind in many respects and they have not released crucial information about future funding and other details.
In a related initiative, much of the badly needed new hospital got up and running in 2015, but the facility is facing funding and staffing challenges that could pose a threat to its success.
These initiatives are among the most visible examples of many ongoing efforts that could benefit the territory greatly if they are well handled going forward. But that is a big if.
To our thinking, then, perhaps the most important lesson of 2015 is the need for planning, consistency and sustained effort over the long term.
To that end, much responsibility falls to the National Democratic Party government, which this year became the first VI administration since 1999 to win consecutive elections.
Ultimately, however, the community at large bears responsibility for ensuring the territory’s success. And this involves working together and putting the greater good before petty squabbles and personal gain.
What better time than the Christmas season to commit to this lofty goal?
We wish everyone a meaningful holiday and a happy New Year.
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