By John Denny Observer Reporter
johndenny@thestkittsnevisobserver.com (Charlestown, Nevis) ” It is smooth driving for motorist driving in the Jessups, Barnes Ghaut and Cotton Ground area since the opening of their new road. The project, originally priced at $15 million only went $1.5 million over budget. The additional funds were used to pay for drainage and a playground at Barnes Ghaut. Junior Minister with responsibility for Communications and Works in the Nevis Island Administration, Hon. Carlisle Powell, underscored the government’s commitment to make life better for all Nevisians. Mr. Powell was at the time delivering remarks at the official handing over of the bus stand/gazebo from West Indies Power to the NIA and the opening of the Cotton Ground/Barnes Ghaut/ Jessups Road. The event was held on August 8, during a ceremony held at Five Turnings in Cotton Ground.” “Today we are here to salute the Hon. Premier as we realize the fulfillment of another campaign promise of this Nevis reformation Party government. We promised to make life better for all Nevisians and we started with you the proud people of St. Thomas’ who had suffered more than most… “When we said that NRP would look after your needs, we meant it. This is why we are here this afternoon to bring a quality road and a sense of pride to you the people of this area,” he said. The Minister also used the opportunity to highlight the NIA’s record in road construction since it assumed office in July of 2006 and referred to the 5.3 miles of the Island Main Road from Market Shop in Gingerland to the St. James Anglican Church. “”This stretch of road is one of the best pieces of road construction in any of our Caribbean islands. The only fault some people found with it is that the road is too straight and we were wrong to take out the corners,” said Minister Powell. “Three point four miles of road in Jessups, Barnes Ghaut and Cotton Ground to satisfy the needs of the people who have been ignored and ostracized just because they continued to vote for the Hon. Joseph Parry.” Mr. Powell also referred to an ongoing two-mile road project in Charlestown which would improve the road network in Ramsbury, Hamilton, Government Road, Stoney Grove and the Stoney Grove by pass and 3.5 miles of road in Cox Village. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communication and Works, Ernie Stapleton in a brief report explained the finances and explained that the project consisted of a brand new road/carriage way from the fuel station at Jessups past the play ground at Jessups, portion of Four Seasons Golf Course, Fern’s Estate, Barnes Ghaut Village, Paradise Estate and ended at the junction in front of the St. Thomas Church/Villa Paradiso. In addition there was another branch from Barnes Ghaut Village through to Paradise Estate, Cotton Ground Health Centre and ended at the Cotton Ground junction. The Jessups Junction, the Paradise junction near the St. Thomas’ Catholic Church and the Cotton Ground junction have all been substantially improved including drainage, said Mr. Stapleton. Throughout the road, curbs, slipper drains and box drains have been constructed and all road works was done with imported base material and aggregate for the asphalt work. However, asphalting was done by the Public Works Department with the supervision of the contractor National Piling Co. Ltd. New water lines have been placed in most areas while in other areas existing waterlines were deepened. Property entrances and drive in accesses were provided and some fences were replaced wherever road affected private properties that had fences, according to Mr. Stapleton. In addition, a bus shelter/gazebo was erected at the junction of Cotton Ground which was financed by West Indies Power Nevis Ltd. It was constructed by Malvern “Molly” Jeffers of Cotton Ground.
