“At the Trellis Bay, we have a lot of passengers travelling to the different cays as well as to the sister islands. There is no accommodation there for people in terms of passengers being left out in the open and exposed to all the elements,” the stakeholder complained as a caller on the NDP radio programme recently.

The caller said that a shed had been there previously but this was inadequate and had been knocked away during hurricane Irma several years ago.

According to the resident, it was very important that the territory’s ports of entry have suitable accommodation for passengers, especially since there are both international tourists and local visitors who use the area.

“We need a solid structure there with integrity that can withstand hurricanes,” he added.

The resident said passengers are forced to be seated under the trees in the area and said there were also no bathroom facilities in place.

He asserted that the situation was embarrassing.

Responding to the complaints, Penn said he had previously done designs for a new facility for the Trellis Bay area and secured these through his own personal funding from an architect in his district.

The Opposition Leader said the plans included a visitor centre, restroom facility and all necessary amenities needed for travellers.

According to Penn, he took the designs to BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) where there were several discussions with the BVITB’s new Director and the Junior Minister at the time, Shereen Flax Charles.

“I have done the legwork to get that project moving. We haven’t gotten funding either from the Tourist Board or from the government to execute that project,“ Penn stated.