“A couple of companies have already committed to working with the government to clean up the wrecks that are all around this territory since hurricanes Irma and Maria,” Smith said in the House of Assembly last week. “Our challenge now is to find a place to put those wrecks on land and make sure they are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. But we will get it done soon.”

Since the 2017 hurricanes, the BVI has embarked on several initiatives to clear debris and derelict vehicles. The government has also exported a lot of metal vehicle parts to other countries for recycling. But Smith said there is more to be done.

She said Tortola remains one of her main concerns as there are still several derelict vehicles to be removed from the BVI’s main island.

“That includes removing all the derelict vehicles, it includes cleaning the shoulder of the roads and making sure that the garages in various places are properly placed to make the BVI a more aesthetically-pleasing country,” Smith stated.

Previously, the removal of wrecked vehicles and debris from the 2017 hurricanes was handled by the Ministry of Social Development. In 2021, some 2,000 tonnes of scrap metal, mainly from derelicts, had left the BVI to be processed in Colombia.

The government had previously stated that some people with derelict vehicles were not willing to let them go as they had hopes of salvaging parts such as engines.