By Monique Washington
The former Minister of Communication Carlisle Powell doubts that Minister of CommunicationsAlex Jefferscan complete the roads needing repairs in St. James for less than $5 million.
Minister Jeffers told The Observer on Thursday,there are a number of roads that will be repaired in the St. James area. He estimated the cost to complete the roads at between $3 million to $4 million dollars, using monies from revenue and Federal Government funds earmarked for various purposes.
“We have roads in Barnaby, Garnas, Nisbett Settlement, Brick Kiln Fountain Ghaut” the minister said.“We will also be doing some roads in Mt. Lily and Fountain, Shaws Road up to Goat Hill, a road from Camps that will go to Mt. Lily and Fountain and roads in Butlers.”
Jeffers noted road construction will begin this year and be completed in the first quarter of 2017.
Powell doubts the road repairs will be finished within the allotted time or at the estimated cost.
“Look at Hanley’s Road, it took almost two years to complete that one piece of highway, almost more time than it took the NRP to complete part of the main road from by the St. James Anglican Church toMarket Shop,” Powell said. “That took 18 months, and I’m sure when they are finished it’s going to cost them about $10 million.”
The Hanley Roadproject began in March,2015 and is nearing completion. The road cost an estimated $6.5 million and was done by the Public Works Department.
Powell emphasized he has no confidence in the Ministry of Communications, the minister in charge of the project or the Concerned Citizens Movement.
“They are struggling,” Powell said.“There is an election and they are trying to rush projects that should have been completed.”
Powell noted that part of the main road is “a mess” and roads in Rawlins Village are being neglected.
According to Minister Jeffers,plans are underway to fix part of the island’s main road.
“We are going to fix and resurface the road from the bottom of Cotton Ground to Hurricane Hill,” Jeffers said.“Right now we are trying to get an estimated cost for the project.”
The minister announced that Public Works has also been solicited for this project.
