by Jerome Pinder
Quite a lot has been said about the New Providence Road Improvement Project. We have gone from law suits, appeals, protest, loss of business, layoffs, etc…..
I fully understand that the capital works underway are a necessity. No argument here. However, there must be a better way to manage this process. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Below is a picture of current works under way on a commercial roadway in New Providence:
Now please tell me how the Government of the Bahamas expects a Business to stay in operation, pay their taxes, and keep Bahamians employed in what is an already difficult economic environment, when the above is the roadway to their establishment?? And this is only one example.
I guess it is not possible for us to complete the works on one side of the roadway at a time? And what about other issues:
– Multiple trenching on the same roadways by various corporations at different times due to lack of communication!
– Numerous roadways under improvement at once with no end in site!
– The workers at certain times of the day block off access completely, although local access should be available!
– Some of the senior workers on site can't speak a lick of English!
– Have we laid extra conduit underground to prevent the roads being trenched after completion!
If this is how the Government oversaw the management and implementation of this project, it is no surprise that they are out to lunch when it comes to crime. Do any of our elected leaders understand how to run a business and appreciate the high cost of operating a business in this Country?
Perhaps a Ministry of National Stupidity would be appropriate? The portfolio can start with roads and crime. Any suggestions on who should be the new Minister?
Thanks Jerome:
I’m with you when it comes to the apparent lack of organisation by many of the employees that work in Government Departments but this is the best coordination I’ve seen. Just look at the Saunders Beach roads and the proper drainage etc for example.
There are an awful lot of roads that are under repair at one time that might be adding to the normal frustration of driving. However, they are all passable for local traffic. They are not closed as many people suggest.
In fact Pinder Tile has a great ad on the radio asking us to hold our heads ’cause the roads ain’t closed.
It is inconvenient for sure, but like the roads at Saunders Beach I’m looking forward to the completion of all this.
Rick, I know of specific cases where business were assured that access would be allowed for their customers and this did not occur on numerous occasions. If the work warranted the complete blockage of a roadway, why wasn’t this work completed during the night, as they did with Shirley Street?
Hey I work on that road….
It has been a great challenge, to say the least, to operate our business on Marathon. Rick, I agree with you & Jerome… it is necessary, it must be done, and yes they are putting in infrastructure for the future; but you cannot just look at the finished product and assume it was all well done. Yes I too have driven West Bay St. and by Saunders beach – the finished product is impressive. I cannot speak for that area as I do not typically travel there. However, I can speak about Marathon Rd., Baillou Hill, Robinson, & Prince Charles where businesses have closed, and Bahamians are out of a job; where traffic jams have been impossible; where access has been cut off without proper notice; where private property has been damaged…..
Inconvenience, unfortunately, is a gross understatement and Rick I can only tell you
“loose goat don’t know how tie goat feel!”
I attended a Ministry of Works meeting to discuss total closure of Marathon Rd. because progress was too slow and they were behind. Merchants and residents of the area were invited to attend and give input & discuss this “total road closure”. The meeting was held on Monday June 20th. I repeat, they wanted our input! A half hour into the meeting we found out The Road WAS being closed, they already had printed flyers, and were closing it on June 22nd. 2 days notice! Let me add that they said local access would be allowed and they made a change a week later to allow entrance to Marathon from Wulf Rd. for access to the businesses up to Island Wholesale. Thankfully that access has allowed us to stay open. In case folks don’t remember, construction at the Marathon Mall end of Marathon road started in December 2010 and it is not finished yet…!
As for Pinder Tile, I agree it is a good ad, but call the manager there and ask him about the day they trenched across his entranceway – cutting all access off completely and with No notice. The MOW Engineer in charge told me how they had “dropped the ball” and he had to apologise.
I too am looking forward to the completion and I’m sure it will be great. I know there’s NO gain without a little PAIN, but it just seems to be too much all at the same time…
Rick, I hope my Honda holds up well to mud & quarry… 🙂
Yes, I’m a loose goat now, but was tied when Shirley and then Dowdeswell Streets were done.
We had our entrances blocked etc so understand how tough it is. And I think this might be worse for the businesses because they finally seem to be building the roads properly.
Not to make light but we used to complain that they were only putting down surface to have to redo it in a year or two. Let’s hope this will be done properly and it will be a bad memory.
But hey, this is The Bahamas. People still allege that Shell has water in their gas about an instance that happened a couple decades ago.