Govt Issues 10-Day Notice for Removal
The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change has issued a 10-day courtesy notice directing owners of more than a dozen derelict vehicles in Johnson Ghut to voluntarily clear them from Crown land. Officials warned of administrative penalties under the Crown Lands Management Act, 2024, while calling on the public to actively report illegal dumping and abandoned vehicles across the territory.
The Government of the Virgin Islands has issued a 10-day courtesy notice to the owners of more than a dozen derelict and abandoned vehicles in Johnson Ghut, Tortola, instructing them to voluntarily remove their property from Crown land immediately or face official enforcement action.
According to an official notice issued by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, the cluster of abandoned vehicles has been identified as a pressing environmental and public health concern. Officials emphasized that neglected vehicles serve as breeding grounds for pests, create hazardous obstacles, and contribute to the broader environmental degradation of the surrounding neighborhood.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Dr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley, emphasized the vital role of community vigilance in maintaining clean surroundings and urged residents across the territory to take an active stance against environmental infractions. "The ministry is also calling on members of the public to play an active role in protecting the environment by reporting abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping and other activities that may negatively impact their communities," Dr Smith-Berkeley stated. "If you see something, say something!
Public cooperation is essential to identifying problem areas and maintaining clean, safe and healthy communities throughout the Territory." Ministry officials reminded vehicle owners that the 10-day window is being granted as a courtesy period to facilitate voluntary removal and avoid statutory enforcement.
Authorities highlighted that the Crown Lands Management Act, 2024, provides for strict enforcement measures, including administrative penalties and financial liabilities for individuals who fail to comply with applicable legal directives. Dr Smith-Berkeley reiterated that Crown land and other public thoroughfares are not authorized sites for the storage or disposal of derelict vehicles, vehicle parts, household waste, or other debris.
The planned removal in Johnson Ghut is intended to eliminate environmental hazards, discourage pest activity, and restore the affected public area. The enforcement action forms part of an expansive territory-wide initiative aimed at clearing derelicts from public spaces. Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley previously outlined operational plans under the Crown Lands Management Framework to expedite the removal and processing of abandoned property.
The initiative is supported by a dedicated derelict vehicle disposal fee established in September 2025 to fund ongoing removal, transport, and storage operations. Residents with information regarding abandoned vehicles or who wish to report similar environmental and public health concerns are urged to contact the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change directly at (284) 468-2147 or via email at menrcc@gov.vg.
Primary source: BVI News