BVIEC Better Than Wapa, Skelton-Cline Says; VIEWCo
Radio personality Julian Skelton-Cline has defended the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), saying on his June 10, 2026 ZBVI broadcast that BVIEC has “always had better service” than the USVI’s WAPA, VINO reported. In June 2026 the government also announced Governor Daniel Pruce has assented to merge BVIEC and the Water and Sewerage Department into the new Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation (VIEWCo), a move officials say will improve efficiency and service delivery.
Radio host Julian Skelton-Cline used his June 10, 2026 show on ZBVI 780 AM to push back against comparisons between power outages in the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, saying the BVIEC has historically provided better service than the USVI utility, WAPA.
VINO reported that Skelton-Cline, who said he attended school in the USVI, told listeners: “Power was going out from then. The BVIEC, in the Virgin Islands, have always had better service than what’s provided in the United States Virgin Islands. So don’t compare what’s happening there with our situation here.
It’s apples and oranges.” Skelton-Cline added that he felt sorry for residents of the USVI and hoped their problems would be resolved. He commented on political promises to fix WAPA, saying he did not want to speak beyond what he knew but expressed hope that candidates and officials could deliver solutions, according to VINO.
The remarks come as the Territory prepares for a major reorganisation of utility services. In June 2026 the government announced Governor Daniel Pruce had assented to merge BVIEC and the Water and Sewerage Department (W&SD), clearing the way for the creation of the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation (VIEWCo).
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer described the merger in a government press release as a “historic moment,” saying it will strengthen operational efficiency, improve service delivery, enhance long-term sustainability and create opportunities for coordinated infrastructure planning and investment.
Under the proposed structure, VIEWCo would consolidate responsibility for electricity, water and sewerage services across the Territory. Supporters of the merger say a unified utility could reduce duplication of work, streamline emergency response and make planning and capital investment more coherent across services that are often interdependent in practical and engineering terms.
At the same time, the transition prompts immediate questions for customers and workers. Residents will want clarity on how existing rates, billing systems and customer service processes will be harmonised; what safeguards will be in place to protect service quality during the merger; and how staff roles, pensions and employment terms will be handled.
Officials have said further details, timelines and stakeholder consultations will be forthcoming as VIEWCo is established. Skelton-Cline’s comments reflect local confidence in BVIEC even as the Territory moves to reorganise utilities for long-term resilience. Government statements indicate the new corporation is intended to build on BVIEC’s record while addressing future challenges in both energy and water delivery across the islands.
For now, residents will be watching for the government’s next steps and for more detailed plans about how the merger will affect daily service, billing and workforce arrangements.
Primary source: VINO