Malone’s company, Caribbean Basin Enterprises, was previously contracted to execute works on the project under a former administration, but had been terminated for unknown reasons.

“We are going to fix the sewerage problems up in the eighth electoral district. I was fired two or three times from that project and I refuse to be fired a fourth time,” the Health Minister said at a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) rally held recently.

“We must get that project finished,” Malone added.

The issue of the delayed project has been a topical one between the two major political parties of late, particularly after Eighth District Representative and Opposition Leader Marlon Penn chided the current government for not having completed the project under its watch.

The $8 million previously allocated for the project was instead put towards the Pier Park project during the previous ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) administration. Since then, ministers within the VIP have assured that funds for the project have been replaced from the territory’s consolidated fund.

Recently, Works Minister Kye Rymer said the entire project will now be completed and is expected to be approached using a phased strategy.

The works on the ground during the first phase are to ensure that the existing system in the Long Look and Greenland areas are connected and subsequently collected at the main pump station at the Long Swamp area directly adjacent to the East End Police Station, Minister Rymer explained.

“In the second phase, as put forward by the technical team, the plan is to undertake the Parham Town to Long Swamp main gravity line. These works once completed will connect the Chapel Hill area all the way to Long Swamp pump station for collection onwards to the treatment plant,” Rymer stated.

He expressed that the first phase of works is anticipated to be completed by August 2022 to coincide with the commissioning of the treatment plant at Paraquita Bay.