Penn Demands Answers on Airport Expansion
Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn has told the House of Assembly that residents in his constituency are being left in the dark about the proposed Terrance B. Lettsome Airport expansion. Penn says the airport business case promised to lawmakers has not been shared and he is calling for immediate engagement and transparency as an Environmental Impact Assessment proceeds.
Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn has publicly pressed the government for clearer information and direct engagement on the proposed expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome Airport on Beef Island, saying constituents are demanding answers as preparatory work moves forward. Speaking in the House of Assembly, Penn said key stakeholders — including himself as the elected representative for the area — have not received the airport business case despite earlier assurances that it would be provided to the House following redactions. "We asked for the business case to be shared with this House… yet we haven’t seen the business case," he said, adding that residents continue to ask what the plan is and what the government's intentions are for a project that will significantly affect their community.
Penn told the House he has had no discussions with the responsible minister, the ministry, or the Premier about the project. He warned that stakeholders in District 8 have been effectively left in the dark even as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other preparatory activities proceed. "You’re full speed ahead doing an EIA, but you haven’t spoken to the people about what’s happening with the project," he said.
The representative also objected to what he called a lack of respect for the people he represents. "You can disrespect me, but don’t disrespect the people I represent," Penn said, urging government officials to return to the community and explain the project as they did during the preparation of the business case.
Government has promoted the airport expansion as a major national development intended to improve air access to the British Virgin Islands, support tourism growth and stimulate economic activity. A business case was prepared to outline the financial, technical and economic feasibility of the project, and officials say an EIA is now underway to assess environmental impacts.
While acknowledging that portions of the business case may contain sensitive financial information that require redaction, Penn insisted that withholding those elements should not prevent the broader document from being shared with elected representatives and the public. He called on the minister responsible to engage residents directly and to forward the business case to the House, arguing that transparency and meaningful consultation are essential for a development of this scale and for maintaining public confidence in the process.
As the EIA continues, District 8 residents and businesses will be watching for formal consultations, timelines for disclosure of the business case, and clear explanations of anticipated impacts and mitigation measures.
Primary source: BVI News