Turnbull Warns Government Over Blocked Ghuts
Second District Representative Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull has cautioned the government over unmaintained ghuts and drainage systems across the territory. The opposition legislator warned that failing to clear debris before heavy rainfall could trigger severe flooding and costly emergency responses. He urged the administration to present a proactive clearing plan rather than waiting for weather conditions to worsen.
Second District Representative Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull has issued a stern warning to the government regarding the state of the territory's ghuts and drainage systems, urging immediate maintenance to prevent widespread flooding ahead of anticipated heavy rainfall. Speaking during a broadcast of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Radio programme, Turnbull said opposition legislators have repeatedly pressed the administration for clear timelines and strategies on clearing watercourses across the Virgin Islands.
He noted that fellow NDP members in the House of Assembly, including Marlon Penn, Myron Walwyn, and Ronnie Skelton, share serious concerns over the lack of proactive drainage clearing. Turnbull pointed out that while the territory has experienced lower rainfall than typical for this period, waiting for adverse weather to arrive before acting poses a severe threat to communities.
He questioned whether the administration intends to delay until conditions deteriorate, ultimately forcing public works crews into an uncoordinated emergency response. The lawmaker argued that delayed action often leaves the government scrambling to deploy machinery and manage crises only after property damage and road blockages have already occurred.
He challenged leaders to demonstrate foresight by executing comprehensive preventative clearing operations that safeguard residents, motorists, and local infrastructure. Drainage maintenance has been a recurring concern across the territory, particularly in flood-prone commercial and residential zones.
In May 2024, former BVI Chamber of Commerce Chairman Shaina Smith-Archer highlighted the substantial financial losses businesses face due to frequent flooding in Road Town, pointing out that heavy vegetation was visibly obstructing major drains. Around the same time, Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer noted that indiscriminate dumping and improper waste disposal had further clogged waterways and worsened runoff during severe weather events.
Turnbull stressed that addressing drainage maintenance is essential to public safety and reflects broader questions surrounding the government's overall planning, resource management, and responsiveness to the needs of the territory.
Primary source: BVI News