Some questions have to be asked, and in this right-thinking, democratic and engaging governance system, answers should be forthcoming.It was two years ago, September 2020, that the Government, in true public relations style, announced a major multi-million-dollar road rehabilitation project for Highway 1.At the time, then Minister of Transport and Works and Water Resources, Ian Gooding-Edghill, said Phase 1 of the project, scheduled to start in the coming weeks and completed by December, would cover 6 500 metres between the Frank Walcott Roundabout to Seaview Road, St James. The price tag was $15 281 656.00.So massive was the undertaking that the minister stated that five major companies were to be contracted.He explained that in order to complete the rehabilitation works within the prescribed timeframe, the Ministry was engaging five contractors who have previously carried out trenching operations for utility companies. He announced that these were Ajax Construction, Arthur Construction, C.O. Williams Construction, Infra Incorporated and Jose y Jose.It was noted that it had been over 30 years since any major rehabilitative work was done on this stretch of the highway. It was touted that at completion: “There will be the replacement of six culverts with larger ones and improvements of the drainage systems; improved sidewalks making good existing footpaths; manhole covers will be level with the road; in addition to the milling and paving of the highway.”
