The replacement and restoration of the mailboxes will coincide with the rehabilitation of various postal offices throughout the territory, according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

“Even though the Internet is the most popular medium for exchanging written communication, there is still a need for the use of hard-copy letters and documents and parcels,” Honourable Fahie said during his National Budget Address for the Virgin Islands during the Second Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff’s Bottom, Tortola, on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

“In this regard, your Government will seek to undertake the rehabilitation and development of the various postal offices throughout the Territory. This includes the restoration and replacement of mailboxes to ensure continued delivery and receipt of mail by providing more resilient structures and to enhance the economic development of the Territory by ensuring the timely access to mail,” Hon Fahie stated.

During the 2017 hurricanes, many of the government mailboxes leased to residents were damaged, resulting in persons on Tortola journeying to the main post office in Road Town to collect their mails.

This has proven to be a challenge at times as mailbox holders must present identification and residents sometimes have to stand in long lines.