Garfield Ekon
Staff Writer
Turks and Caicos, September 20, 2024 – The PDM along with Turks and Caicos Islanders are deeply concerned about the deplorable conditions of the highways and roads, particularly in Providenciales, according to Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Mr. Robert Been Jr.
In a media release, he said as he travels across the island and listen to the concerns of our citizens, one issue that stands out is the lack of “proper maintenance” and upkeep of our roadways.
“This is not just a matter of inconvenience, but a blatant failure by the current PNP (ProgressiveNational Party) administration to carry out one of the most basic functions of government: ensuring our roads are safe, functional, and well-maintained,” he outlined.
Adding that many of the roads are overgrown with trees and bush, creating both an eyesore and a hazard for motorists and
pedestrians, he said the once pristine landscapes that contributed to our image as “Beautiful by Nature” are now obscured by untrimmed vegetation and deteriorating road conditions. “This is in stark contrast to the beauty that we proudly showcase to the world as our biggest selling point in the tourism market.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of our economy, and the condition of our roads is a reflection of how we maintain the image of our islands. When tourists drive through these overgrown, unkempt highways, what message are we sending? That we do not care about the very product we are trying to sell? This neglect not only affects the experience of our visitors but also places undue strain on our local residents who use these roads daily,” he said
The PDM Deputy Leader, in arguing that the lack of basic road maintenance is another example of the PNP’s incompetence., said if they are failing at “this most basic level”, then, how can Islanders trust them to manage the more complex and pressing affairs of our country?
“Road maintenance is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is the bare minimum that the government should be providing for its citizens. When the PNP boasts about their achievements, we must ask, what good is a record-setting budget if they can’t even ensure the proper upkeep of our roadways?” he said
Mr. Been Jr. underscored that the PDM understands the importance of basic Government functions, and, if elected to office, it will make it a priority to address the “comprehensive repair and maintenance” of the road infrastructure across the entire Islands, and will ensure that roads are not only repaired but also regularly maintained to prevent the kinds of issues from arising again.