26 Apr 2012BVICCHA Board meets with Hon Archibald Christian

PRESS RELEASE

Arising out of the concerns from the business community about the general untidiness of the territory, Mr. Dion Stoutt, the Chairman of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) organized a meeting between the BVICCHA Board of Directors and Hon. Archibald Christian at its offices on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 to discuss the clean-up campaign.
During the meeting, Hon. Christian indicated that within two weeks of being sworn into office he met with the current manager of the Solid Waste Department, Mr. Anselm Myers, to understand the issues facing that office. It became clear that the department needed more money, manpower and equipment to effectively discharge its functions. Hon. Christian was pleased to inform the Board that there will be several changes within that department, including a name change to the "Waste Management Department".

The Board stressed the need for the effective enforcement of the Litter Abatement Act, and while stiffer penalties was recommended, it was agreed that more penalties would remain ineffective without a continuous training program for Litter Wardens and support for the public education campaign.
According to Chairman of the BVICCHA, Mr. Jamal S. Smith, "We are quite pleased that Hon. Archibald Christian is leading the charge to improve the image of our territory, not just for visitors but for everyone who lives, works and plays in our territory. Through our Public Policy and Advocacy Committee we are seeking to partner with Hon. Christian on this initiative and will be in continuous dialogue with him over the coming weeks and months."
The Board also discussed with Hon. Christian the need to maintain the territory's historical sites, advocating an amendment to the National Parks Trust Act that would allow the National Parks Trust to have certain powers with respect to privately owned historical sites. Supporting recycling efforts was strongly recommended by the Board whereby schools should be a focus to get students more conscious of recycling and not simply teach them about it in academic terms.
"Hon. Christian's initiatives are completely in line with the objectives of the BVICCHA and we are looking forward to a close collaboration with him," Smith said.

END

ABOUT THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND HOTEL ASSOCIATION:
The BVICCHA aims to actively promote a positive business and social environment for the benefit of the Territory while sustaining the unique advantages of the BVI and to be the leading private sector organization for the competitive and strategic positioning of BVI businesses in the domestic and global environment. The BVICCHA has a membership of approximately 200 businesses. The BVICCHA currently holds membership in the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and the Caribbean Association of Industry & Commerce.

By BVICCHA