The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

FORMER public works minister Neko Grant says the government’s proposed $1 million allocation for the improvement of Abaco roads is merely putting a band-aid on the problem.

Mr Grant spoke to The Tribune in Dundas Town, Abaco, after a number of residents raised concerns about the state of the decayed roads.

“Prior to May 7, 2012, we [previous administration] had scoped and had priced the roads in Central Abaco. It was our plan to redo the main roads and most of the side streets with asphalt.

“And so I really laughed when I heard my successor talk about spending a million dollars on the roads here in Abaco. To do the job properly, it’s going to take in excess of $5 million. And so what he is doing is putting a band-aid on the issue if you will.”

Mr Grant said that the roads were ‘heavily travelled,’ especially in Marsh Harbour and they deserve to have all their roads, Marsh Harbour, Dundas Town, and Murphy Town, done with asphalt that will last for in excess for 20 years.

Minister of Works and Urban Development Philip Davis announced that more than $1 million would be needed to fix the many Abaco roads which are in a state of disrepair.

Mr Davis claimed that with the exception of Cooper’s Town, the roads in all areas of Abaco were neglected by the former FNM administration and required extensive work.

“This government and my ministry were appalled to find the state of some of the roads in Abaco in such disrepair upon coming to office. It is obvious that the deterioration that we find today began long before we were elected to office, and we are baffled as to how and why some Abaconians have allowed these conditions to exist for so long without audible objection.”

Providing a breakdown of the costs the Deputy Prime Minister estimated the projected cost of remedial and improvement road works in Dundas Town at approximately $150,000. Some $100,000 is needed for specific works in Murphy Town, he said.

The grand total for works in and around Marsh Harbour, Dundas Town and Murphy Town is estimated at $1 million and improvements in Marsh Harbour should cost around $750,000, he said. Green Turtle he estimated at approximately $250,000.

Along with the completion of the Forrest Drive sidewalk, Mr Davis said work on the bridge and port in North Abaco were progressing and had not been cancelled, contrary to some reports.

Mr Grant told the Tribune: “Funds were approved for the bridge that connects Little Abaco and Great Abaco and there was also the approval for the port that will transform North Abaco.

“I’m advised that the Chinese [government] are simply waiting for the first payment to proceed with this project. If they love Abaco as they are professing that they do, they need to go ahead and do a bridge and do the port which will bring additional revenue and economic activity to Abaco.”

The former works minister added: “Abaco is a very progressive island and it can go further if they simply follow the plans we left in place.”