Roach Highlights Fresh Produce Program, Derelict Boat Removal, and Street Signage Updates

During Monday's press briefing from Government House, Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach updated the public on several activities recently undertaken by government departments in the territory. He began by highlighted last month's fresh produce distribution under the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

“This vital initiative designed to support low income seniors provided nearly 800 eligible individuals with fresh locally grown produce,” said Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach. The seniors received herbs, ground provisions, fruits and vegetables, part of efforts “to create a healthier and more connected Virgin Islands,” the lieutenant governor said. He thanked local farmers for their hard work and dedication to the agricultural sector, noting that the program was only made possible through the commitment of Virgin Islands farmers “to providing quality produce that nourishes our community.”

The V.I. Housing Authority, Mr. Roach said, helped ensure that the process ran smoothly, while the Department of Agriculture coordinated the exercise. “This program is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to address the needs of our community,” the lieutenant governor declared. 

Mr. Roach also noted that the derelict boats which washed ashore on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront following tropical storm Ernesto would soon be removed. With a contract now in place, “we anticipate removal of the vessels from the waterfront area to begin in early January,” the lieutenant governor said. The contractor will begin with the vessels near the Elysian resort and move westward.

Mr. Roach also shared updates on the work emanating from his office. Having completed the mapping of the island of St. John, Mr. Roach shared that the next phase of the street addressing initiative involved the installation of lighted road signage on highways and other major roads. Some have already been put up on St. Thomas, while signs for St. Croix are currently being shipped, with installation expected to begin in January. The work being done under this initiative “aims to create an urban grid for the territory, which makes navigating the roadways and accessing each individual parcel in the territory infinitely easier,” said Lt. Gov. Roach. He expressed gratitude to the agencies who have partnered with his office – the Post Office, the Department of Public Works, VI Fire and Emergency Management Services, and the University of the Virgin Islands – for their assistance on the project.

The lieutenant governor also noted that the Division of Banking, Insurance and Financial Regulation recently received full accreditation from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. This comes following the Division's initial accreditation in 2019. The renewed accreditation, received with no conditions, will be valid for the next five years.