Couva North MP Slams Shoddy Work on Perseverance Bridge

Member of Parliament for Couva North, Ravi Ratiram, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Government’s handling of the Perseverance Bridge project. Despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding the bridge’s recent opening, it has become evident that the project suffers from significant flaws that undermine its safety and functionality.

In his statement, MP Ratiram emphasized, “The Perseverance Bridge, which was meant to be a symbol of progress, has instead become a glaring example of poor workmanship and oversight. Despite the fanfare surrounding its opening, the bridge’s structural integrity is in question, and its design flaws are causing severe disruptions for our community.”

Despite the recent opening of the bridge, it has become clear that the project is plagued by significant issues, confirming the concerns Ratiram raised during the inauguration of this bridge.

MP Ratiram expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, “At the opening of the Perseverance Bridge, I felt a sense of relief and optimism, as my repeated pleas to the Government had finally resulted in the bridge’s opening. However, I also raised concerns about the bridge’s structural integrity and design. Regrettably, those concerns have proven accurate, as the bridge now displays significant defects that compromise both its safety and functionality.”

The Perseverance Bridge is now proving to be a source of frustration for the Couva North community and all users of this vital infrastructure. Key issues identified include but are not limited to, structural support concerns with visible problems with its support structure raising significant safety concerns, design and construction deficiencies such as the incorporation of humps at either side of the bridge adding to the traffic and inability for school transportation maxis and small goods trucks to pass as a result of height restrictions.

The deficiencies of the Perseverance Bridge have led to significant disruptions for residents and businesses. Additionally, the poor condition of the bridge has negatively affected transportation and the delivery of goods, placing unnecessary burdens on families and small business within Couva North and environs.

MP Ravi Ratiram stated, “The 1.6 million dollars on the Perseverance Bridge project could have been put to better use, instead of this shoddy work. These funds could have been used to repair critical infrastructure like drains and roads, which would have delivered far greater benefits to our community. It is the people’s money, and they expect value for their money!”

In light of these concerns, MP Ravi Ratiram is calling on the Ministry of Works and Transport to take immediate action to rectify the issues with the Perseverance Bridge. The Government must demonstrate a commitment to high-quality infrastructure and ensure that critical projects meet the required standards.

According to MP Ratiram, the Perseverance Bridge is a reflection of the broader governance issues within the PNM administration which is marked by instability and deficiency.

“The people of Couva North and all users of the bridge deserve better. Immediate improvements are necessary to address these shortcomings and better serve the commuters who use this bridge and surrounding communities”, MP Ratiram expressed.