‘UNC Will Fix Roads’

By Sue-Ann Wayow

WITH local government election nearby, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is dishing out promises to fix the nation’s infrastructure especially as it relates to flooding and traffic.

On Monday night, the United National Congress (UNC) political leader listed out party promises at the UNC’s virtual report, should it be re-elected back into central Government with local elections being a precursor.

She said, “I have some plans for infrastructure because that is what is badly needed. To do this we had suggested and we still suggest…that we had a National Physical Infrastructure Improvement Plan to deal with critical issues: roads, drainage, public transport, road rehabilitation.”

That was in addition to the proposed construction of the San Fernando to Mayaro Highway, an extension of the Point Fortin Highway to Cedros and upgrade of the Manzanilla to Mayaro road to reduce traffic congestion.

Persad-Bissessar said, “A UNC Government will embark on a nationwide road rehabilitation and enhancement programme, including undertaking timely repairs of all our secondary roads.”

To alleviate flooding, the UNC will focus on cleaning and de-silting rivers, including the mouths of the Caroni, Ortoire and Nariva rivers and constructing sediment traps and check dams in the upper reaches of priority water courses.

The party will also construct water detention ponds and levees and place pumps gates in strategic locations, remove accidental and illegal blockages in watercourses, culverts and bridges, maintain main, secondary and tertiary drains and increase drainage capacity.

To alleviate congestion, the party proposes to construct park-and-ride facilities at appropriate locations in Arima, Chaguanas, Couva, Sangre Grande, Tunapuna and San Fernando.

Water taxi hubs at Carli Bay, Point Fortin, Mayaro and Cedros will also be established. 

“This will assist greatly in moving people in and out of Port of Spain and San Fernando and reducing traffic on our nation’s highways,” Persad-Bissessar said.

A bus rapid transit system, which has been seen successful in countries such as Brazil and Argentina will also be set up from north to south and east to west, she said.

The UNC will also restart the process of decentralisation of Government ministries and offices which will reduce traffic into the capital city of Port of Spain, Persad-Bissessar said.

And there will also be a remote work policy for the public sector, in addition to a flexi-time policy. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted that remote work is practical and viable, it can lead to improved productivity, she said.

Persad-Bissessar said the UNC under her leadership will also be creating a National Infrastructure Fund which was a financing mechanism to fund large projects in public transport, green infrastructure including solar, water and wastewater facilities, climate resilient infrastructure, and social infrastructure such as green housing.