Rick Lowe

A friend sent a photograph of a tree in a pot hole in the middle of the Marsh Harbour airport drive.

It was obviously meant to be funny but critical of the islands infrastructure that is badly in need of repair in many areas.

Riding around New Providence many roads leave a lot to be desired, but there has also been a tremendous amount of road work and other on going repairs.

Even the white washing of the curbs being done makes a difference.

I'm assuming the cost of maintaining the infrastructure on all our islands must be astronomical. And in these tough economic times repairing roads et al must become a balancing act when one considers what spending is vital or what can wait.

This brings me to my central point. Now might be a great time to allow local government to blossom into more than the mere window dressing it is.

Take Abaco for example. Why not allow them to keep their tax revenue and take over the responsibility for maintaining their islands infrastructure.

If that works meaningful local government can be rolled out throughout the country.

What do think about that?