Please allow me a space to comment on what I continue to see regularly as a waste of taxpayer’s money.
As one move around the island, small road jobs can be seen from time to time and they are mainly the construction of minor bridges or drains. Though small, these activities are needed especially in rural communities to help boost economic activities that are badly lacking there.
However, two of my biggest issues with many of these projects are the amount spent and the quality of work that is done. Many are tantamount to a wastage of taxpayer’s money.
I heard that the maximum for a small project is $15,000.00 but I believe where the addition of a few hundred dollars is merited to get a job done properly it must be seriously considered. I now give you a
typical example.
There is a piece of road slippage on route to St. George’s on the left side just after the first corner after leaving the Cliff (the junction with Woburn, Morne Jaloux and Calivigny). A wall was constructed a few weeks ago and it does not take an engineer to see that the length of the wall was inadequate and the problem would continue as soon as the rainy season starts in full.
With the rain we are getting now, both sides of the improper wall continue to slip. I am sure the government may now have to spend twice or three times as much to correct a problem that could have been done better maybe for a few hundred dollars more.
When will this nonsense end? The government should give qualified people these type of work and pay what is required to get the work done. It makes no sense trying to cut cost which will cost the tax-payers more in the long run.
Moreover, where are the engineers in the Ministry of Works? Aren’t they employed to oversee construction activities pertaining to the state and to protect the nation’s purse? I hope it is not a situation where the ‘Eat Ah Food’ mentality is blinding all from seeking the nation’s interest.