~~Adz:Left~~Basseterre, St. Kitts (October 23, 2006): The new West Basseterre Bypass Road was forecasted as a stimulus for the development of St. Kitts and Nevis by officials delivering remarks at the October 17, contract signing and ground breaking ceremony.
Minister responsible for Public Works Honourable Dr. Earl Asim Martin referred to the road as " a "new corridor of development."
In explaining his theory, Minister Martin commenced with the tourism aspect. He said that "several areas on the outskirts of Basseterre previously inaccessible will become accessible to all."
"Tourists can now see new areas of interest like Buckleys, Olivees, La Guerrite, Dewars and others," the Minister of Public Works said.
"We would now witness the construction of new businesses and a greater influx of new residents to these areas. New villages are also likely to develop along the route for with increased accessibility comes an increased demand for various types of development.
~~Adz:Right~~Cottage industries like handicraft, small shops and grocery stores are a few examples of the businesses to which this road network will give rise. In short, a new cadre of entrepreneurs is likely to emerge to take advantage of this new development."
Minister Martin added that the road will provide access to new farm lands and taxi drivers will have greater choice in the transport network.
He made the connection with having more reserve resources from the funds that previously would have been used on more frequent road maintenance.
"Between 1995 to present, the number of vehicles using our roads have increased fourfold," Minister Martin said. "There has been a corresponding increase in the wear and tear on our roads, not to mention maintenance costs.
A new highway provides an alternative in which there is diversity, easement and a wider distribution and spread of the impact from these vehicles on the existing roadways."
~~Adz:Left~~Minister Martin clenched his description of the "new corridor of development" by addressing the road's chief purpose of transportation.
"The West Basseterre Road is a crucial transportation artery which adds significant value and mileage to the national road network," the Minister of Public Works said.
"The roadway will not only provide greater access for all of us but it will also serve as a growth-pole for the development of new businesses at strategic points along the way.
It will positively impact land values and add variety to the land-use patterns of these areas."
Deputy Prime Minister Honourable Sam Condor correspondingly saw the road as a stimulus for development describing it as the "opening of a new chapter in the life of a community."
He said that "it is a fact that roads develop people as they are often the first link in the chain of further development."
"Although this road is primarily intended to relieve existing and anticipated increased traffic through downtown Basseterre, I believe that it will act as a starting point of a process of growth, inclusive of job opportunities, housing and other infrastructure which could then develop further trade and commerce," Minister Condor said.
"We see this road therefore as a developmental thrust providing the means through which a community may be uplifted."
Like Minister Martin, Minister Condor made the tourism link but in this case highlighting its connection with the other sectors of the economy.
~~Adz:Right~~ "Importantly, the road winds its way to within close proximity of the Robert Llewelyn Bradshaw Airport," he said. "The significance of this to our main economic thrust is tremendous.
Our government's strategy of focus on sports, culture and conference tourism will be greatly enhanced by this road and its expected surrounding amenities.
This project therefore must also be seen as an important component in the mix of ingredients that would play critical roles in creating the environment that promotes prosperity and encourages both local and foreign investment."
Minister Condor elaborated on the positive impact to the individuals that make up the community into which new life is being inculcated.
"The goal toward which we are working has to be clear," The Deputy Prime Minister said. "We want to systematically create conditions which can tangibly improve our people's lives through social amenities, education, skills development and sustainable job creation.
As we create opportunities so we build hope and community solidarity. This I believe has to be one of the most important contributions to our society.
~~Adz:Left~~ As we sign this contract and symbolically turn the soil for the commencement of this project, we must do so with the understanding that our continued development will require heightened commitment to each of us."
