Has anyone been on the “New” By-Pass Road recently? Well, I have. And I can tell you, if you did not realise, that it certainly does not feel or look like a new road. I refer to the section that was recently unofficially opened to regular traffic between the airport and Gillard's Gas Station.
I must admit that it does help to ease the congestion through Basseterre, but the quality of the workmanship on that road certainly leaves much to be desired. First of all, it is not as smooth as it should be for a new road.You can see patch work in several sections. If it rains too hard there is a formation of puddles, and I believe there will soon be potholes.
In other countries this one would really be termed as archaic given the modern technology used for a refined finish. Not even the shoulders have been properly done, not to mention the inaccurate and shabby painting where obvious mistakes were made at the junction near to the turn off by the factory. I really think that others have noticed what I have been talking about. Someone even mentioned to me in passing: “Even Public Works would have done a better job!”
It seems to me that the contractors are ripping us off to try and make a quick buck and get it over with. But who has to pay for it? We, the tax payers, my friends! Doesn't the Government have someone to check on the finished product? Or does the insurance pay for flaws? I would hope some minister of government is not some sort of accomplice to this rotten deal?
Some might say to me: "What do you know about roads?" And my answer would be: I have lived in countries where the contractors would be sued for such shabby and substandard work!" And I have also lived long enough to understand what a "new" road in this age of technology really is. Let us not put any politics into this comment...it does not merit any dirty politics; it is just plain common sense and good citizenship to discuss the real issues of our beloved country.
I hope that this comment would arouse some serious questions and that we will be provided with proper and accurate answers. We must not be allowed to be trampled on without even raising some sort of meaningful protest.
