The Manzanilla Mayaro Bypass Road is a disaster.
If one were to ever want a clear demonstration of the poor representation and governance that is accepted as normal in Trinidad & Tobago, one simply must visit the recently completed temporary bypass road in Manzanilla/Mayaro.
The three strips of roadway comprise of a minimum of over one hundred potholes. Yes, over one hundred potholes and that is no exaggeration. Having spent millions to complete this small strip of roadway there can be no excuse whatsoever for not paving the roadway that is used by thousands daily.
How can the Ministry of Works accept that road condition as acceptable. It places every vehicle at risk of having damage to its suspension. The posted speed limit is 40 KPH. If one were to drive across that sector of roadway at that speed it will very likely damage that vehicle. So where are the engineers and technocrats and officials in the Ministry including the Minister to demand at the very least a drivable surface?
This poor regard for the people who use this sector of roadway clearly demonstrates the lack of representation and care for the people by their representatives. Where are the protests, or at the very least publication of this poor quality of work by the representative of the area. Why isn’t he there with the media pointing out the poor value for money that is clearly demonstrated by this atrocity?
For those who have no idea about the condition of this sector of roadway, note, a temporary roadway was constructed where the water destroyed sectors of the existing roadway. That temporary roadway consists of aggregate compacted and left as a drivable path. There is no paving material to allow for a smooth drive along the path. If asphalt was unavailable, then concrete could have been used. But to simply leave it alone for commuters to navigate through the plethora of depressions speak of total disregard for the people of the area by the politicians and officials of the Minister of Works.
More can be said about the absence of temporary drainage and other simple activities that can bring some relief to those who own property in the area, but this is about getting some immediate action and relief to the people who use the Manzanilla Mayaro road. Please show some concern for our citizens.
God Bess Our Nation.
Steve Alvarez
