THE MINISTRY OF Transport and Works (MTW) says it is well on the way to fixing the hundreds of potholes across the island as it embarks on a $30 million road rehabilitation exercise.
Permanent secretary Simone Rudder yesterday revealed that last week, MTW had patched 102 roads stretching across each parish.
She was speaking during the launch of a pedestrian safety partnership programme between the ministry and the private sector. One of the companies on board was the General Insurance Association of Barbados (GIAB) and the event was held outside the GIAB’s building at the corner of Country Road, St Michael.
Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley recently announced that Government would be embarking on the road improvement exercise, and had so far contracted C.O. Williams Construction to assist the MTW in this drive.
Rudder said crews were working earnestly to adequately cover each parish. She promised weekly updates for the public on the progress of the patchwork.
She also said motorists whose vehicles were damaged as a result of potholes could submit a case to the ministry, addressing it to the permanent secretary. She said proof of driver’s licence, valid insurance and information on where the incident occurred were needed, as well as an invoice number if they took action to get tyre(s) repaired.
“(Afterwards), persons will be contacted by the ministry’s legal investigators, the matter will be processed and once it is confirmed that the road conditions which caused the damage falls within the remit of the Ministry of Transport and Works, as opposed to work which might have been undertaken by one of the utility companies, then compensation will be given as quickly as possible,” Rudder said. (SB)
