Deputy Leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Robert Been Jr. Has lashed out against the Washington Misick administration on what he referred to as neglect of road infrastructure in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In a news release, Been said the neglect, especially on Providenciales is deeply concerning.
“The PDM along with Turks and Caicos Islanders are deeply concerned about the deplorable conditions of the highways and roads, particularly in Providenciales,” Been said.
He pointed that there is a lack of upkeep with roads and roadways, which he described as a failure on the part of the government.
“As I travel 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 Administration, to carry out one of the most basic functions of government: ensuring our roads are safe, functional, and well-maintained,” the PDM deputy leader further stated, pointed out the situation runs counter to the country’s ‘Beautiful By Nature’ tourism tagline.
“Many of the roads are overgrown with trees and bush, creating both an eyesore and a hazard for motorists and pedestrians. 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 further stated.
Been added: “This lack of basic road maintenance is another example of the PNP’s incompetence. If they are failing at this most basic level, how can Turks and Caicos 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 posited that when the PDM takes the reins of power, it would bolt from the game doing a far better job.
“The PDM understands the importance of basic government functions. A new PDM government will make it a priority to address the comprehensive repair and maintenance of the road infrastructure across the entire Turks and Caicos Islands.
“We will ensure that roads are not only repaired but also regularly maintained to prevent these kinds of issues from arising again. Our administration will focus on the fundamentals first, because we know that when the basics are handled well, everything else follows.
“The future of our islands depends on a government that can effectively manage the day-to-day needs of its people, while also preparing for long-term development and growth.
“The PDM is committed to ensuring that the Turks and Caicos Islands remains beautiful, not just in name, but in reality. The people of this nation deserve better, and under a PDM government, we will make sure that you get it,” Been concluded.
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