ST. CROIX — Attending a Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority board meeting held here on Friday, At-Large Senator Almando “Rocky” Liburd made a presentation that sought to urge WAPA to start its own bottled water business in the territory; a move he contends would stir economic growth by adding 20 additional people to the workforce while creating a new revenue stream for the local government.
“There are many benefits that can come from such a business,” said Liburd. “A new revenue stream for the government, more than 20 new jobs, financial support for WAPA’s infrastructure, a boost to the local economy, providing a market for V.I. agricultural products, a new export for the Virgin Islands and increases a local water stockpile in the event of an emergency and, at the same time, allows the territory to respond to global crises where drinking water is in demand.”
Liburd, who described himself as an advocate of the semi-autonomous entity, asked the governing board to give consideration to embracing the opportunities and further studying whether the time is right for WAPA to enter into the bottled water business.
Board members present included: Chairman Gerald Groner, Esq., Vice Chair Juanita Young and members: Director Marvin Pickering, Commissioners Devin Carrington and Gustav James, Noel Loftus, Cheryl Boynes-Jackson and Elizabeth Armstrong.
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