Protest action by Barrackpore residents shows Sinanan’s slothfulness in dealing with road repairs says Charles
Naparima MP Rodney Charles is disappointed that the Minister of Works and Transport has allowed roadways within Barrackpore to reach the appalling conditions that they have, in light of protest action today by members of the Barrackpore community.
Deplorable road conditions lead to increased vehicle maintenance costs to drivers including members of the Barrackpore Taxi Drivers Association, delays in arriving at workplaces and schools in respect of students and increases in road accidents sometimes involving loss of lives.
“It is unfortunate that constituents of Naparima are being treated as second class citizens and must constantly resort to protests for any semblance of action to be taken by this wicked, slothful and vindictive PNM administration,” says MP Charles.
“For many months we have pleaded with Minister Sinanan to prioritize the repair of roadways and landslips within the constituency but to no avail. All that has been done is minor patchwork which quickly deteriorates.”
With the number of accidents along these roads increasing weekly, one would have thought that the safety of the thousands of citizens who utilise these roadways would be of high concern to the Ministry.
Instead of wasting money on inessential projects, the Government should be allocating funds towards conducting comprehensive land surveys to understand how to effectively and permanently repair landslips and roadways.
The Minister of Works and Transport must realize that temporary fixes cost more in the long run than investing in durable solutions.
It is the role of a Government to serve all citizens, no matter where they reside. It is time that this PNM Government address the needs of their citizens and fix the landslips within Naparima that threaten the lives of commuters and residents daily. Citizens should not have to resort to fiery protests for their Government to provide the basic amenities that they deserve.
Rodney Charles
MP for Naparima