A proud and appreciative Karen Best points to the road sign that now bears her name.
Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Lashley believes that any roads constructed, including those in housing developments, should have a maintenance programme in place that is honoured by the contractor.
He made the suggestion while delivering remarks yesterday morning during an event to name one of the roads in the Barbados Union of Teachers’ Hothersal Development, in honour of former BUT president and Chief Education Officer, Karen Best.
“Built into the contract would be expenses built in so that he would be able to maintain that road within a five-year period, not to the expense of the taxpayers. If we leave the road there without a maintenance contract by the main contractor, then the Ministry has to step in and do the maintenance and it obviously is a cost to the taxpayers and also it is time consuming,” he said.
Having such maintenance contracts, Minister Lashley said, would give the Ministry the “elbow room” to maintain and execute the necessary repairs on existing roads that do not have such contacts in place.
Lashley’s comments came as he also spoke to his Ministry’s efforts to promote road safety in this country. He explained that the new Road Traffic Act, which faces, head on, matters such as distracted driving and drunk driving, also assists the country to fulfil some commitments under the road safety mandate of the United Nations.
“Major causes of road accidents in Barbados include speeding, overloading, sometimes some poor road conditions, drunk driving or some form of substance abuse, distracted driving and the use of non-worthy vehicles… I remain confident that in time Barbadians would see that the legislation is meant to protect all of us who use the highways and byways daily,” he said.
The Transport and Works Minister, turning his attention to the woman of the hour, said Best stands out for the tremendous contribution she has and continues to make to education and indeed the labour movement in this country. Lashley added that he hoped that the naming of the road after Best would urge other institutions to likewise reward those who have given outstanding service to their organisations. (JRT)