General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Leroy A. E. Abraham confirmed that several General Electric (GE) power sport floodlights were installed three weeks ago at the Old Recreation Grounds in Long Bush.
He added, “but they are still not functional because the government still has some other works that need to be done.” Abraham said he was unsure which Ministry was responsible for the continuation of the works before they can become operational.
Abraham explained that the lights were not LED. “The lights were pretty similar to what was there before. So they’re not LED and they’re definitely not solar,” the General Manager said.
When asked about the actual cost of the project and the contractor, Abraham said, “Our responsibility with regard to the project was just for the acquisition and erection of the poles.”
He further disclosed that he did not wish to share details of the cost based on the fact that, in his understanding, the project was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Communications and Works.
The BVIEC General Manager also mentioned that the cost of the operation was funded by government and the previous lights were replaced after instructions were given for their removal because of their precarious situation.
He advised that this news site contact both Ministries to confirm the cost of the lights and the contractor. It is believed that the lights were part of a wider pilot project to outfit various areas in Road Town that cost just over $8000 in its entirety. It remains unclear why LED lights were not used in the project as was previously announced.
Efforts to get a comment from both the Ministry of Education and Culture and Ministry of Communications and Works were not successful.
It was in May of 2012 in the House of Assembly that Opposition Member Hon. Julian Fraser RA strongly expressed the need for lights to be installed at the playfield.
“I consider it to be despicable and deplorable the fact that the Old Recreation Grounds where softball is played has no lights and softball league opened a week ago, and they have to play on Saturday and Sunday. This is the ancient past; these things don´t happen anymore. Who plays ball in the day time anymore?” Hon. Fraser had strongly stated.
