No more neglect of rural T&T, Warner pledges

Acting Prime Minister Jack Warner told the people of Barrackpore Wednesday there will no longer be any neglect under the leadership of "rural Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and rural Jack Warner".

The Works minister was speaking at a simple ceremony in the community to launch a major roads development program for some of the main roads in then rural community.

His reference to himself and Persad-Bissessar was to note that former Prime Minister Patrick Manning had said Persad-Bissessar was not qualified to be the country's leader because she was born in Siparia. Warner himself was born in Rio Claro.

Warner spoke of the glaring neglect on roads in the community and said he found it difficult to believe that any government could ignore entire communities while spending lavishly on other projects.

He spoke in particular of the Manning administration's expenditure of $20 million to buy a used ferry for the Water Taxi service and for an additional $60 million to repair the 14-year-old vessel and the boat "has not sailed for one day"

The road project is just one of several that his ministry is undertaking across the country. It is estimated to cost just over $14 million and should be completed in about two months. The project is being handled under the PURE program, which is aimed a restoring not only the surface but in dealing with all the necessary infrastructure, including drains and retaining walls.

The minister said the aggressive developments plans need the support of everyone and praised the technical staff of the ministry for "going an extra mile" to work to get things fixed.

He said success will only come from the active participation of all stakeholders. And he had one suggestion for contractors who have worked on road projects and who will continue to handle similar projects under his watch.

"Give us one road free," he asked.

Responding to a complaint from the MP for the area that a temporary bridge is needed to link two communities, Warner instructed his highways supervisor to get the job done within seven days.