The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour has received a €927,980 (approx. $933,189) grant from the European Union (EU) through Expertise France to improve the water quality testing capabilities in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID) seeks to address the limitations that exist within the Territory’s water quality monitoring programme through institutional strengthening, capacity building, equipment, hardware and software acquisition, and establishment of a baseline for new priority areas and water quality parameters. 

RESEMBID is funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France. The development cooperation agency of the Government of France supports sustainable human development efforts in 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) including the BVI.

The RESEMBID project is expected to be conducted over a period of 14 months in collaboration with Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community College’s Centre (HLSCC) for Applied Marine Sciences, where the water quality laboratory is located. It is anticipated that the products of the project will contribute to the increased resilience of the coastal and marine environment and biodiversity through better environmental planning, thus reducing the impact of extreme and recurrent natural events in the Virgin Islands.

Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Melvin Turnbull said that the project would further create a strong scientific evidence base that will further support enhanced environmental legislation, marine spatial planning and decision-making that will contribute to the increased resilience of our coastal and marine waters and biodiversity.

He said, “I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the European Union, Expertise France, and our colleagues at RESEMBID for the financial resources required to take action and protect our marine resources. Our lives depend on a clean and healthy natural environment and this project will significantly assist the Territory to achieve its sustainable development goals for the conservation of our precious natural resources.”

In congratulating the BVI for its initiative and progressive thinking, Programme Director, Fabian McKinnon said, “The RESEMBID programme seeks to support the BVI in its thrust to deliver clean and safe potable water to the people of the BVI. I do believe that clean water is the most efficient way to change the world. Fresh, clean water cannot be taken for granted. This project will ensure that BVI has significantly improved water quality testing capabilities which can only redound to the benefit of the entire population.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour continues to manage the natural resources in the Territory in a manner that ensures long-term sustainability and this RESEMBID project will certainly contribute to this long-term goal.