TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Aug. 16, CMC – The government of this British Overseas territory has denied that it promised an amnesty on outstanding or disputed water bills as the territory transitions water and sewerage services to the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation (VIEWCO).
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Julian Fraser told the House of Assembly that the government had made no commitment to forgive outstanding water debts, rejecting claims by Opposition Leader Marlon Penn that legislators had previously agreed to provide relief to affected customers.
Penn said some residents and businesses have disputed the accuracy of their water bills for years without receiving a resolution and argued that an amnesty had been agreed when lawmakers approved legislation governing the transfer of water services to VIEWCO.
“We sat in this House, and we made a decision to create an amnesty for the people of this territory, did we not?” Penn asked.
He said customers required clarity, particularly after being directed to begin making water bill payments through VIEWCO from July 15.
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer told legislators that VIEWCO was currently providing an additional payment option and that revenue collected continued to be deposited into the government’s Consolidated Fund.
However, Penn said that explanation did not address the issue of longstanding disputed arrears.
“The minister has not gotten up and said, we’re going to keep our word to the people of this territory and forgive the arrears, or forgive those questionable bills that were in place,” Penn said.
He called on the finance minister to confirm whether relief would be provided to businesses, families and other customers who had challenged their bills without receiving a resolution.
But Fraser said Penn’s interpretation did not reflect the commitment made by the government.
“The government never promised the public an amnesty for water,” Fraser said.
He explained that the agreement was for VIEWCO not to inherit outstanding water accounts when it assumed responsibility for the service. Instead, the arrears would remain with central government, which would continue efforts to collect the outstanding amounts.
“VIEWCO will start with a clean slate. And there’s no forgiveness of debt. The government will endeavour to collect that money,” Fraser said.
The House of Assembly passed the Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation Bill in March, paving the way for the Water and Sewerage Department and the electricity corporation to be brought under a single statutory utility.
The legislation provides for separate energy and water business units within the corporation and transfers water-related assets and liabilities to VIEWCO.
The government has also committed to meeting the operating expenses of the water unit for up to 15 years, or until the operation becomes financially viable.
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