Touting his achievements as the chairman of the BVI Ports Authority and promising more progress on infrastructure in the district, second-time Seventh District candidate Ronnie Lettsome officially launched his campaign Tuesday evening at the Sticket.
Mr. Lettsome said the BVI Ports Authority’s first pension plan was established and plans were completed for extending the cruise ship pier and expanding the West End ferry terminal under his “strong leadership.”
“For 14 years, plans to construct a new port facility at West End never got anywhere, but as chairman and along with the support of the premier and the VIP government, I pushed for acquiring the land, completing all the necessary drawings and the Environmental Impact Assessment, obtaining estimates from local contractors, and ensured that all the public hearings were held,” Mr. Lettsome said.
Other plans are in progress for establishing a welcome centre for cruise ship passengers and for improving the area around the cruise ship pier, he added.
Focusing back on his own district, the candidate said he served as a project coordinator and design specialist for the sewerage project in progress in East End/Long Look. He also said the first phase of the Parham Town portion of the project is complete, and that “a major portion” of sewage collection lines have been installed in Long Look.
Mr. Lettsome added that the sewerage project must be completed with as few delays as possible.
“We cannot afford to have the usual delays caused by other governments. Give the VIP government the chance and you will see that the job is done,” Mr. Lettsome said.
Future plans
The candidate listed sewerage improvements as a top priority for the district, along with plans for a “carefully studied” commercial waterfront development.
“As your representative, my goal would be to ensure that this project is implemented with care and consideration for our fragile marine and terrestrial environment. The goal would be for it to bring economic growth and present direct opportunities to benefit all our people,” he said.
Mr. Lettsome said he would like to see improvements at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College to make travel to and from the school safer, such as sidewalks and better lighting. He added that a safe, reliable transportation system for students should also be created.
Long Look residents, he said, should have a bank in the area and a place to pay utility bills without having to make the trip to Road Town.
Previous run
When Mr. Lettsome ran for office in 2007, he was facing an incumbent National Democratic Party opponent, Dr. Kedrick Pickering, just as he will on Nov. 7. Dr. Pickering won that race by 53 votes.