An invitation by the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI for experienced contractors with a background in road repair to attend a “critical meeting” (see Wednesday edition) indicates a sense of urgency. The ministry said it was actively assessing the condition of roads “in the wake of recent heavy rainfall causing damage to several key areas.”
Only last week the Central Bank announced a 60.8 million Netherlands Antillean guilders bond for capital investments, including the hard-surfacing of various dirt and main roads and completing the Dutch Quarter development. That money was budgeted in 2023, so it’s important to get related projects underway by the end of the year.
A procurement process for the infrastructural work apparently started already, which may have implications for Monday’s gathering. Its stated purpose is to identify and compile a comprehensive list of companies on the island with the expertise and capability to undertake road repairs.
The minister and his staff, also based on past experience, will no doubt see to it that their talks with prospective bidders don’t prompt issues like claims of irregularities, favouritism, etcetera, regarding tenders later. That could not only lead to undesirable and costly delay, but jeopardise the entire plan.
And it is badly needed, most would agree, especially after the latest storms that affected several streets. Mention was made of L.B. Scott Road, Union Road, Sucker Garden, St. Peters, South Reward and Cole Bay.
Note that some of these spots were patched or even resurfaced not too long ago. This understandably again raises questions about the durability of local roadwork, as frustrated motorists are faced with potholes, craters and mud bumps in familiar places over and over.
There have been efforts to improve materials used by, for example, switching to quick-dry concrete and asphalt. However, months of periodic extreme weather causing widespread flash flooding would be a challenge to any infrastructure system.
Landslides that dump sand and rocks from hills on the road have nothing to do with the quality of the surface, just like water running in underground rivers and eroding the foundation. There are also other factors such as lack of proper sewage facilities in many areas.
But while one appreciates the difficulties involved, constantly having to repeat repairs makes little sense. If putting knowledgable heads together can help break that vicious cycle with a more permanent fix it would certainly be worthwhile.
After all, if you keep doing the same thing you’ve always done, you’ll get the same result.
