Our roads are the key to a sustainable economy

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am dumbfounded as to the state of affairs on our nation’s road network, particularly in Kingston and St Andrew. There is an alarmingly common practice that I have observed, where several public entities dismantle roadways to install and fix pipelines and/or network systems, to facilitate enhanced efficiency of their services to private households and corporate entities.

While I understand that maintenance and expansion must be executed periodically, it must be conducted in an effectual, prudent and sagacious manner to ensure risks and losses are substantially minimalised.

To aggravate quite a seemingly precarious situation on hand, Jamaica is currently experiencing a construction boom of several high-rise apartments across the Corporate Area. This has resulted in increased demand for utility companies, among other entities, to execute mechanical and constructive projects along the roadways to facilitate these developments.

Many of these service companies and developers are not operating with social responsibility. There must be equilibrium between economic growth, and the welfare of society and the environment. As it is now, there is a total disregard for the nation’s roadways and drainage systems.

How is it ethically responsible to dig up the roadway and leave giant, gaping holes in its midst, with no apprehension as to what happens after? We are plagued with an increasingly eroding road network in the island’s capital due to negligence and lack of monitoring on the part of government agencies to ensure that regulations are adhered to by all parties concerned.

LEARN FROM OTHERS

The hour has arrived for those who are quite insistent on deteriorating the nation’s corridors to desist. The veil of ignorance must be lifted. Our roads are the key to creating a competitive, durable and flourishing economy, so a concerted effort must be made to preserve these structural designs at all costs.

The National Works Agency should urgently consider devising some sort of agreement or fines system with these organisations and construction developers to ensure that once maintenance/building activities have been finalised, the affected roadways must be fully repaired in short order.

Let us learn from economic champions worldwide to create a more vibrant future for our nation.

TARA HENRY