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Contact:
Earl Bousquet
Monday, January 10, 2005 - Continuous rainfall continues to delay the
start of the Government’s major national road rehabilitation programme as
scheduled by the Ministry of Communications, Works, Transport and Public
Utilities.
The Ministry says the continuous
rains -- which have not ceased since January 3 -- have prevented its several
crews from starting road repairs, particularly along the East Coast, where the
road network is in a bad condition.
According to officials of the
Ministry’s Roads Division, the extensive road rehabilitation programme, which
will include construction and rehabilitation of roads in several parts of the
island currently in a state of disrepair, had had to be put on hold because of
the continuous rain.
Minister of Communications & Works, Hon. Felix Finisterre, said just before the
first meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers this morning: “I am aware of the bad
condition of the roads, especially the East Coast Road, which continues to be a
source of concern to drivers and pedestrians alike.
“However, the rains have continued and this continues to make it impossible for
us to begin the major road works as per schedule.”
The Minister said the unusual weather pattern would first have to subside in
order for the road works to begin and he appealed to drivers, pedestrians and
members of the general public to be a bit more patient.
“When the road works finally begin,” the Minister assured, “it will be a major
exercise that will result in vast improvements to our entire national road
network, much to the satisfaction of those who have been patient for so long
while we sought funding for this comprehensive programme of road
rehabilitation.”
Mr. Finisterre said the planned programme, which will be undertaken in phases,
“will be one of the most extensive road construction, rehabilitation and repair
programmes ever undertaken in this country over the past 25 years.”
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