Govt denies water-bill amnesty
The government says it never promised to forgive disputed water bills after transferring services to the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation (VIEWCO). Deputy Premier Julian Fraser told the House of Assembly that outstanding water debts remain with central government and will not be written off, despite calls from the Opposition for an amnesty.
The government has denied committing to an amnesty for disputed water bills as part of the transfer of water and sewerage services to the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation (VIEWCO). Deputy Premier Julian Fraser made the denial in the House of Assembly after Opposition Leader Marlon Penn asked the government to honour what he described as a pledge to grant relief to customers with contested arrears.
Penn said residents and businesses had challenged water bills for years without resolution and argued legislators had agreed to provide relief when they approved the law creating VIEWCO. 'We sat in this House, and we made a decision to create an amnesty for the people of this territory, did we not?' Penn asked, pressing ministers for clarity after the government directed customers to begin paying water bills through the new corporation from July 15.
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer told the House that VIEWCO was offering customers another payment option and that revenue from payments continued to be deposited into the Consolidated Fund. Penn said Rymer had not addressed the underlying disputed arrears and called on the Minister of Finance to confirm whether businesses, families and other customers who had outstanding queries would be granted relief.
Fraser disputed Penn's account of the legislative commitment. He said the government never promised the public an amnesty for water. Instead, Fraser explained, the decision taken in the House was that VIEWCO would not assume outstanding water accounts when it took control of the service.
Those debts would remain with central government for collection so the newly established corporation could 'start with a clean slate.' He added that there was 'no forgiveness of debt' and that the government would endeavour to collect the amounts outstanding. The Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation Bill, passed in March, merged the Water and Sewerage Department with the existing electricity corporation and transferred water-related assets and liabilities to the new statutory utility while requiring separate energy and water business units.
The government also committed to covering the water unit's operating expenses for up to 15 years or until it becomes financially viable. For residents and businesses who have disputed bills, the exchange in the House underscores that unresolved arrears remain a government liability, not VIEWCO's, but that collection efforts may continue.
Customers seeking resolution should keep documentation of disputes and pursue clarification through VIEWCO and the relevant ministries as the government and Opposition continue to debate next steps. The matter is likely to remain an issue at the Centre of public concern as lawmakers and affected customers press for clear procedures to resolve long-standing billing disputes.
Primary source: BVI News