Sister Islands Must Benefit From $100M Loan
Former legislator Shereen Flax-Charles has called on the government to ensure sister islands receive their fair share of the territory's $100 million infrastructure loan. Highlighting persistent utility and road issues on Virgin Gorda, she urged officials to execute critical development projects across all islands simultaneously.
Former legislator Shereen Flax-Charles has raised concerns over the distribution of the government's $100 million infrastructure loan, questioning how much of the funding is directly benefiting Virgin Gorda and the other sister islands. Speaking on a recent broadcast of the Talking Points radio programme, Flax-Charles stated that residents on Virgin Gorda have yet to see noticeable evidence of major investments stemming from the loan facility.
She emphasized that basic public services and infrastructure across the island continue to suffer from longstanding deficiencies that require urgent capital intervention. Flax-Charles pointed to ongoing challenges affecting healthcare delivery at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic, alongside recurrent disruptions in public utilities.
She noted that Virgin Gorda residents have endured prolonged water and electricity outages over the past six months, adding that the condition of the road network remains in poor shape. In response to concerns regarding spending on the sister islands, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley highlighted that roadworks in Virgin Gorda’s North Sound area, including repairs near the Robinson O’Neal Primary School, were completed earlier this year as part of the loan-funded infrastructure agenda.
The government has previously stated that the $100 million facility is intended to finance a variety of critical capital projects beyond road rehabilitation. However, Flax-Charles argued that infrastructure upgrades must be executed concurrently across the entire Virgin Islands rather than focusing heavily on one area at a time.
She stated that communities on Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada face similar difficulties and deserve equitable attention. Her remarks echo earlier criticisms from Opposition Leader Marlon Penn, who contended that the borrowed funds should serve the entire territory under a cohesive, territory-wide development plan.
Flax-Charles stressed that true equity requires the government to treat the sister islands as full partners alongside Tortola, ensuring that critical loan funds translate into tangible improvements in everyday public services for all residents.
Primary source: BVI News