A temporary facility that will allow the West End port accommodate international ferries is on track to be completed by its Aug. 4 deadline, Premier Andrew Fahie said at the House of Assembly sitting on June 3.

The procurement process for a restroom facility has commenced, and the selection of a contractor for a septic treatment plant is in process, he explained.

The restroom is expected to arrive on island on June 14, and the septic treatment plant is expected to be completed by June 21, the premier explained.

The construction of a walkway, seating area and ticketing booths is projected to start on June 10 and to be completed by July 5, he added.

JVD terminal

Mr. Fahie also said that government has ordered a “modular structure” to better facilitate processes for customs, immigration and BVI Ports Authority workers at the Jost Van Dyke ferry terminal.

It will include a service window for cashiers, two carrels for the ferry agents, two restrooms, and a covered waiting area, according to the premier.

He added that the structure is expected to arrive by September, with works expected to begin Oct. 1 and last six weeks until the facility is operational.

The current facilities will remain operational until the installation of the “modular structure” is complete, he said.

Mr. Fahie also explained that he reviewed the status of the insurance claims made for the restoration of the port facilities as a result of the damage from the 2017 hurricanes.

He said the BVIPA informed him that it received $9.9 million from its insurance company and that of that money $5.6 million has been spent to date.

Of that, $2.9 million was spent on the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, $738,000 on the Road Town jetty, $616,000 on Port Purcell, $354,000 on the West End ferry terminal, $123,000 on Virgin Gorda, $832,000 on miscellaneous expenses, $1,200 on JVD and $2,500 on Anegada.

An additional $543,000 is committed to various projects, leaving a remainder of $3.8 million, according to the premier.

He added that the figure for the WE ferry terminal has increased from $239,000 reported in the previous HOA meeting due to payments made to contractors and other costs that total around $116,000.

Concerns

He went on to express concern over how the BVIPA allocated funds prior to the current administration, alleging that it spent more than $5.5 million without visible restoration works at some of the territory’s port facilities.

He pledged that once the JVD and WE ferry terminals resume operations, they will again bring in revenues of more than $1 million per year.