Election Gimmick? Roads being paved days before 2019 Polls
Now that Elections 2019—set for February 25th—is on the horizon, the NDP 1 government and its District representatives have suddenly sprung into action with a number of road projects, leading many to wonder whether it is just an election gimmick.
Where is the money?
A few years ago, the NDP 1 regime took out a $16M loan from the Social Security Board dedicated to fixing roads and bridges. Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the Government received additional funding through a Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) $65M loan and a portion of that was for road rehabilitation works.
To date, little or nothing has been done and the money is still unaccounted for by the regime that former Governor, John S. Duncan OBE had stated publicly that they "lack spending priorities."
However, just last week which is a few days before the 2019 General Elections, the NDP1 has found it fit to pave a road in Purcell Estate leading to Free Bottom on Tortola, after the District Representative Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) said she had to “harass” the Communications and Works Minister, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) for years to get the road done.
In addition, they are paving roads in Road Town in the waterfront area, which started yesterday Saturday, February 2, 2019.
Bishop Cline condemns 'wastage of money'
Former Chairman of the BVI Christian Council Bishop John I. Cline in a video released on Social Media within the past 24 hours, condemned the move as “a waste of money” and “political gimmick.”
He called on the public to stand up and speak out against the abuse of public funds when there are “other places that need more urgent attention.”
The cost of the road paving works and the asphalt is unknown at this time. It is also unclear what role the Recovery and Development Agency Board (RDA)—believed to be an alternate government—has in the project.
The RDA was set up because of the United Kingdom's (UK) mistrust of the Dr Smith administration due to its several allegations of corruption.
Many have said, if it rains, the asphalt will wash away causing many potholes. Resident Engineer of the Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) news centre was not immediately available to provide context and bring his expertise on the subject.
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32 Responses to “Election Gimmick? Roads being paved days before 2019 Polls”
Let’s stop repeating the same mistakes over and over. A smooth road is not necessarily a good road if there is trouble lurking below the surface. Stop awarding road construction to cronies who don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground in regards to proper road construction. It benefits a few but the people pay out the nose in several ways, ie, bad road driving, pot hole dodging (hard game to master), high vehicle operating cost, less value for tax dollars......etc. Train PWD personnel on proper road maintenance and minor construction, ie engineers, surveyors, equipment operators, truck drivers, asphalt plant operators (proper asphalt mix and temperature), maintenace personnel, contract people. A proper road system is needed. There is no need for the steep incline roads despite the hilly terrain. Circular, winding design is better. Stop fooling the people;people don’t be fooled. Road construction is not nuclear physics so we can train our people easily to deliver a better quality. The people currently in charge of roads, ie, MCW, PWD, contractors......etc have failed miserably and whatever happened in the election a new crew is needed. If nothing changes, the Road Dog will viciously attack (not physically) the enablers of this pain on ah we.
Health. I so vex with these motherskunks. All you come look for votes. All you need to go in exile when you loose. Sick puppies.
Alvera Cains please go and sit down you look an a**. Can’t even speak and you want to be engineer the road.