New Bulldozer Boosts Waste Operations at Pockwood
The Ministry of Health and Social Development has officially commissioned a new bulldozer at the Pockwood Pond Waste Management Facility, a move officials say will reduce reliance on private contractors and cut operational costs. The minister observed a demonstration last week and acting director Levi Benjamin confirmed crews are trained and ready to operate the machine this week; officials also reiterated plans to restore incineration capacity following an international assessment.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development has commissioned a new bulldozer for the Pockwood Pond Waste Management Facility, a development the ministry described as an important step toward improving efficiency and reducing operational costs. The commissioning was confirmed in a government release and reported by Jahphix Television (JTV), which covered the minister’s visit and demonstration last week.
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Wheatley visited the facility to observe a demonstration of the heavy-duty machine. “It’s brand new and ready for operation,” Wheatley said, according to JTV, adding that the equipment will allow the Waste Management Department to handle much of the work previously outsourced to private contractors.
He said the change will enable in-house operation, maintenance and management, which should reduce delays and ongoing contractor costs. Acting Director of Waste Management Levi Benjamin echoed the minister’s remarks and called the acquisition “a game changer.” Benjamin told reporters the department’s crew have already been trained and are prepared to operate the bulldozer starting this week, a point noted in the JTV coverage.
He said owning the equipment will offer greater control over daily site operations, faster response times and long-term savings for the Territory. The ministry also commended the Waste Management Department for safety achievements at Pockwood Pond, pointing out that there have been no reported fires at the site in 2024 or 2025.
Minister Wheatley described that record as a “remarkable achievement,” crediting disciplined site management and consistent operations for preventing incidents. On incineration capacity, officials confirmed that the government engaged an international specialist earlier this year to assess the site’s 100-ton incinerator.
The specialist recommended either repairing the existing unit or replacing it with two new 50-ton systems. A final decision on the way forward is expected within weeks, the ministry said in its statement and reiterated in the JTV report. Beyond machinery and infrastructure, the department highlighted ongoing waste-reduction initiatives.
Partnerships with private-sector recyclers for glass and plastic, new diversion and reuse programmes, and public education on separating waste and composting are all underway. “Those who separate their garbage, compost, and reuse materials are leading by example,” Wheatley told JTV, urging residents to continue eco-friendly practices.
For BVI residents, the new bulldozer and related measures signal more responsive waste services, potential savings for the public purse, and a continued emphasis on environmental protection. The Ministry and the Department of Waste Management say they remain committed to modernising operations, improving collection and disposal systems, and expanding sustainable waste-management practices across the Territory.
Both the BVI Government release and JTV’s reporting provide the latest public details on the commissioning, training and operational plans for the bulldozer, along with progress on incinerator options and recycling initiatives.
Primary source: BVI Government