Community Meeting Addresses Virgin Gorda Landfill Fire and Waste Management Concerns

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent Wheatley, and Director of the Department of Waste Management, Marcus Solomon, held a meeting with residents of Virgin Gorda to provide an update on the recent landfill fire that occurred over the weekend.

During the emergency meeting, Honourable Wheatley, who also represents the Ninth District, apologized to the residents for the inconvenience caused and shared an update on the Territory’s Waste Management Plan. He encouraged the residents to voice their concerns and recommendations to the waste management officials.

Mr. Marcus Solomon, the Director of Waste Management, emphasized that the meeting served multiple purposes. In addition to discussing the landfill situation, it provided an opportunity to address other important issues affecting the community.

“It is crucial to establish a strong relationship with the community and gain their support for upcoming projects, such as the clean-up of derelict vehicles and other public education initiatives. We value the feedback from our clients to help us improve the services we provide,” stated Mr. Solomon.

The meeting proved to be fruitful, as it shed light on the waste management issues that the island is facing. “Residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the management of the landfill. They raised concerns about waste being pushed off the borders and visibly hanging from the hills. They also voiced their grievances regarding previous fires, lack of information from the department, and the need to enhance our bulk waste services, among other things,” explained Mr. Solomon.

As a result of the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue holding discussions to find solutions to these challenging problems. The aim is to collaborate with the community in promoting public education and encourage the reporting of instances of illegal dumping.

Although the Virgin Gorda Landfill began emitting smoke on Saturday, July 29, around 6:30 p.m., pockets of fire and smoke still persist in the area. Individuals with respiratory conditions who reside in or are visiting the area are advised to take necessary health precautions.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development remains committed to efficiently managing all environmental aspects that have the potential to negatively impact the health of the population. Their ultimate goal is to enable all individuals in the British Virgin Islands to attain and maintain optimal health and well-being.