Dear Editor,
Governments and ministers are servants of the populace and definitely not the other way around, and at a given juncture, they must be able to facilitate visits by concerned citizens and community groups, etc. In this regard reference is made to a letter in SN of June 21captioned ‘Mocha-Arcadia’s roads need to be repaired.’ Editor, in lauding the concern being expressed by the letter writer, Ja’asriel Bishop, I must remonstrate about why it took a resident’s penmanship to highlight areas of neglect within Mocha-Arcadia. Isn’t there an NDC to address the concerns? With such bodies in place and functioning both efficiently and effectively, approaches can then be made to the relevant ministries/agencies for assistance. But of all the issues mentioned, road repairs would be of utmost priority.
However, on the subject of a Roads Inspection Unit of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, if one exists what are its roles and functions? How often does it meet? At what point is a report forwarded to the Minister for approval? Within 72 hours? How long after the report is submitted will it take for remedial works to commence? With this in mind can assessments be made of Henry Street, Hogg Street, Albouystown; Hunter Street, West Ruimveldt; First and Cross Street, Alexander Village; and the northern half of Bourda Street, Bourda, to name a few. If a network of roads forms a major interconnection at peak hours, then can it be considered a priority?
In the case of First and Cross Streets ‒ the latter between Fourth Street and Mandela Avenue ‒ there is a stretch of 100 feet which is virtually impassable whenever it rains. Almost on a daily basis trucks from Banks DIH which funded the reconstruction of Independence Arch at Agricola, utilize Cross Street in pursuit of sales. Lest I forget, the bridges over the Hunter Street canal should be replaced with durable and long lasting concrete structures; they connect Second, Third and Fourth Streets, Alexander Village, to Hunter Street. Pupils going to and from West Ruimveldt Primary utilize them twice daily, in addition to workers and other residents. Also the bridge joining Sussex Street to Barr Street, Albouystown, is on a major route for traffic diverting from the East Bank. In addition, Bourda Street from Regent Street to North Road, continues to remain in a deplorable state.
By the way, what of the Mayor & City Council’s Roads Repair Unit? Is it still operable with its outdated and antiquated equipment, ie, tar-boiler?
Yours faithfully,
Lester Sealey
