Penn Rejects Premier’s Blame for Water Crisis
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn (left) and Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has criticised Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley for blaming the former National Democratic Party (NDP) administration for the BVI’s continuing water crisis, arguing that the government has had sufficient time and resources to address the problem.
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn (left) and Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. Opposition Leader Marlon Penn has criticised Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley for blaming the former National Democratic Party (NDP) administration for the BVI’s continuing water crisis, arguing that the government has had sufficient time and resources to address the problem.
Speaking on NDP Radio on Wednesday, October 7, Penn accused the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration of failing to take responsibility for deteriorating water services despite being in office since 2019. “It’s a shame. And leadership leads,” Penn stated. “You don’t blame someone else for not doing what you’re supposed to do.” Penn made the comments after the Premier’s recent criticism of the former NDP government for prioritising other projects over water infrastructure.
The opposition leader questioned why the administration kept blaming its predecessors for the territory’s water problems when it had controlled government spending for several years. Penn claimed the VIP administration had received close to $50 million for water infrastructure over the past seven years, yet residents continued to experience worsening service. “They’ve had close to $50 million to spend on water infrastructure over the last seven years that they’ve been in office,” Penn stated.
He also referred to a further $13 million that he said the responsible minister recently announced for water infrastructure. Penn pointed to Jost Van Dyke, where residents have faced prolonged difficulties accessing a reliable water supply. He recalled visiting the island and seeing water escaping from a damaged pipeline while households struggled to receive water.
The opposition legislator also criticised the government’s decision to provide a standpipe as a temporary water source for residents. He argued that the government’s declaration of a water emergency in June 2025 should have enabled officials to procure equipment and materials more quickly to repair damaged infrastructure.
Penn maintained that the government needed to prioritise repairs to the distribution network rather than continue offering explanations for the situation. He also criticised the administration’s approach to infrastructure development, citing road projects where water pipes had not been replaced before construction.
The opposition legislator said the NDP was developing a systematic approach to repairing the water distribution network, beginning with individual communities and expanding improvements across the territory. “We’re focused on an approach that we feel is a workable approach to deliver consistent supply of water to people throughout this territory,” Penn stated.
Criticism of the Premier follows his recent appearance on Virgin Islands Voice, where he argued that the former NDP administration prioritised the hospital and Cyril B Romney Tortola Pier Park over improvements to the water distribution network. He also defended his government’s infrastructure investments, including funding from its $100 million loan.
Primary source: BVI News