NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A group of business owners said that despite project representatives touting the Village Road Improvement Project as be completed, “the job is not done”.
In a statement yesterday Michael Fields, spokesperson for the Village Road Business Collective and President of the Four Walls Squash & Social Club explained business owners are voicing their frustration over the lack of clean-up and restoration.
He said that the business owners are seeking a meeting with Ministry of Works officials to address their concerns.
“The Ministry of Works has been a total disappointment,” said Fields.
“They have had little respect for our good faith outreach and have been completely non-responsive. We’ve written emails, requested meetings, asked for a communication liaison, and nothing. Now, they’ve put tar on the road and are celebrating the project’s completion. Someone is used to accepting low standards and expect all of us to as well.
“Drive down Village Road and see the state of the sidewalks and people’s properties and businesses. See the quarry, the dirt, the mud, and the damage they’ve left behind. And now they are packing up shop and asking us to be silent and grateful as if the job is done. The job is not done, and we need accountability,” said Fields.
He continued: “The project representative can speak to the media, but the Ministry can’t speak directly to business. They are touting the project’s “completion” in the media, claiming only minor signage, striping, and traffic lights are left. But what about the cleanup? What about the sidewalk restoration? What about the restoration of damage to properties and businesses.
“Their actions stand in stark contrast to the Ministry of Finance who have met with us twice in the past two months and have committed to a registration process that will allow eligible businesses to benefit from the final economic relief package. The process is moving slowly, but the dialogue has been active with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Financial Secretary’s office.”
Fields underscored that sweeping the road is not the equivalent of cleaning up.
“Actions speak louder than words, and so far they’ve shown disdain for the residents and businesses of Village Road,” he said.
“As a business community, we have bent over backward to be fair, understanding, and accommodating. And now, 13 months later, the disrespect is remarkable,” said Fields.
He added: “Sadly, Bahamians have come to have low expectations, and will likely have to do like most businesses, make it work in spite of the mismanagement; in spite of the Ministry of Works’ lack of concern. We are asking for proper consideration and for the Ministry to complete the job properly.”
Following several delays, project representatives say that major work for the $6.4 million Village Road Improvement Project is finally completed, although several weeks of minor works remain to be completed, including signage, striping, and traffic lights. The project was shielded to be completed back in September but the deadline was missed and shifted to December before moving to January and then February.
