Lawmakers slam patchwork approach to BVI roads
Opposition lawmakers have criticised the government for its patchwork approach to BVI roads rather than properly fixing the territory’s crumbling infrastructure.
During a recent episode of Pulse of the People, opposition members said the government’s current road maintenance strategy lacks vision and fails to prepare the territory for the future.
“I’m getting some love and attention in the Second District with some asphalt there, but there’s still not [enough],” Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull said.
Turnbull shared that some improvements had recently been implemented in his district, with asphalt laid in parts of Soldier Hill and Luck Hill. However, he noted that several areas—such as Mount Healthy, Cane Garden Bay, and the unlit stretch from Stoutt’s Lookout to Chalwell Estate—still require urgent attention.
“I have a lot of hills in my district and my community. On the other side, though, Mount Healthy going down into Brewers Bay, that needs some attention. Cane Garden Bay and that road all the way from Stoutt Lookout to Chalwell Estate needs some attention,” he added.
According to Turnbull, the government needs to do more planning in its efforts to fix the territory’s infrastructure.
“There’s something that’s fundamentally wrong with the way we are doing things,” Turnbull added. “We’re just expecting to get applause at the end of it because we did something, but we’re not planning for the future.”
Opposition lawmakers expressed frustration that roads continue to degrade while government funds are spent on temporary fixes. The issue was raised in the context of public calls about poor road conditions in areas such as Bellevue and along the Ridge Road, which recently served as alternate routes during roadworks in the Hodges Creek area.
“Now that we’re in hurricane season and we don’t have as many ships, when we’re here the buses have to go up to Bellevue, and that road is so deplorable going through those hills,” a caller stated on the programme. “It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn also raised concerns, noting that requests for additional roadwork had been submitted, but progress is being delayed due to what he described as “budgetary constraints.”
“I hope it comes in the SAP (Schedule of Additional Provisions) somewhere along the line and that we can make sure the money needed for road repairs is there,” Walwyn stated.
Turnbull also criticised the Hodges Creek Road works, saying the rebuilt road appears narrower than before. “It seems like we are taking these steps backwards for our territory,” Turnbull said.
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nothing they cant do properly but they up and down fighting for independence.
Mitch needs to clean up all that hurricane debris in his district that was left along the roadside above Shannon Estate {from Windy hill/Carrot Bay junction across to Shannon Estate entrance}. It’s been sitting there for 8 years now…An eye sore for the tourists and residents alike. CLEAN D2!
Mitch need to clean up with what? It is PWD and the ruling government duty and job to have celaned up the environment – not one individual that is NOT a sitting minister. Maybe if Mitch had 10% of that $5mill that has vanished without a trace, then the district could be upkept! Ask you VIP government what have they done for US lately besides waste public funds for travel and parties!
The only person you guys like to blame for anything is the Premier. Yes, leadership matters but Mitch was Minister of Natural Resources & Labour for 10 months under Unity Government and did absolutely nothing. He is a waste of time and confusion follow him wherever he goes. These are the facts, they are clear to see. PWD has a responsibility yes, but why are we nitpicking on these things? The Minister of Communications and Works gets a pass again, or is it the Premier’s fault because of no money? You guys are crazy.
To – @Dozer: Are you serious with that comment? 10 months to do what? Do you or have you ever worked in government? It takes more than that to just get funds for the project (ALLOCATION), before any contracts can be let. Nitpicking you said? So which government department(s) responsible for these things? Whos purview does this fall under?
Kye and Natalio are the same. Both are out of their depths and failing all around. Money makes the mare run – so if Natalio has funds for sponsoring all and sundry; why can’t the environment be priority? You just confused about how things are done around here and the players holding the country hotage with their pi$$ poor planning and direction.
This guy is on his 3rd term and all he has done is cause confusion and complain. 3 terms,3 different political parties, constant bickering and complaining. Why would D2 continue to re-elect this man.
Public works or whoever did that BS from town to west just as bad cause why would yal jus drop tar in the holes and not even pack it down so that its ACTUALLY SMOOTH. if yal gonna do something DO IT PROPERLY wtttfffff man like this is common sense no?
understand they need to do a quick fix on some of them damn potholes, but why not take a little extra effort and level the bitumin patch with a roller? It would make such a difference to the ride
THANK YOU!
thanks Mitch for calling it as it is! For a dozen years the territories roadways have been severely neglected. The Works Ministry has done little more than throw a shovel full of asphalt into the all-too-numerous potholes… Over and over again! Patches on top of patches on top of patches.
The same potholes show up again within three months, so Problem NOT Solved! Can we instead get some real repair? Not patches.
I ask the Minister, if our roadways were your clothes, would you patch or repair?
I here you. But please now. Patch patch path. Then have team doing proper fix. Do not think a patch is how you repair things.
A patch is so we not all fixing our things and swerving from once side of the donket track to the other.
Everything in this country is always done Half-A$$ed….EVERYTHING, and then they want to get on the world stage and false advertise us as this prestine paradise… the BVI has long lost that designation and continues to decline. Festival, music fest, infrastructure, horse race, activities for the youths, community activities, transportation, cost of living, groceries….EVERYTHING is goin to the dogs.
That will last long enough till I get paid. Then I’ll do it all over again… More money ! Suckers
you sounded just the wigged one / what part of what D2 said isn’t true ❓️ / those who look for faults always find them , why would they re- elect him/ well they speak English – ASK THEM ) the people of D3 don’t even want to see YOU/ so why would they want to elect you to represent them ❓️ take a hint – go and
play with your WIG ( bet you can’t say that sh*t to face ~ he won’t need a wig to straighten your aRz out .
There should be a multi year plan by any government to put in place, Water, Electricity, Internet, Sewage, and most important Drainage into newly built roads. There should be a proper road design and not made up road signs and markings which dont exist anywhere in the world other than the BVI. Then the road violations can be enforced by the law.
The roundabout is a major example, Taxis parking anywhere. Road Crossings in the most dangers place and not clearly market. People are dying on the roads due to poor design and maintenance. People are filling in pot holes ourselves to make the roads usable. We are one of the most richest Caribbean Island and have the worst infrastructure. Electricity does not go off anywhere else. Water is a given right to human living and there are sparadic at best. Thanks to the opposition to bringing the seriousness to this issue. Its a patch not but needs to be lifted and build from the ground up.
Who pour the asphalt on that fix on Sophie bay hill made it back to worst