By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

MORE than $1 million will be needed to fix the many Abaco roads which are in a state of disrepair, Minister of Works Philip ‘Brave’ Davis said.

With the exception of Coopers Town, Mr Davis said, the roads in all areas of Abaco were neglected by the former FNM administration and require extensive work.

He said: “This government and my ministry were appalled to find the state of some of the roads in Abaco in such disrepair upon coming to office. It is obvious that the deterioration that we find today began long before we were elected to office, and we are baffled as to how and why some Abaconians have allowed these conditions to exist for so long without audible objection.

“It is particularly vexing to us because of the high quality roads in Cooper’s Town, for example.

“The disparity is unacceptable, particularly when one considers that the economy of Abaco has been more stable than most of the rest of the islands in our country, and boasts of good tourism and second home numbers.

“It begs us to ask, did the former Administration not think all of Abaco worthy of satisfactory roads and sidewalks?”

Discussing the matter during a Cabinet meeting in Abaco yesterday, Mr Davis said an inspection was carried out to assess the works needed to improve the condition of the roads in and around Marsh Harbour, Dundas Town, Murphy Town, Great Abaco and Green Turtle Cay.

Providing a breakdown of the costs he said: “I can tell you that the projected cost of remedial and improvement road works in Dundas Town is estimated at approximately $150,000. Some $100,000 is needed for specific works in Murphy Town.

“The grand total for works in and around Marsh Harbour, Dundas Town and Murphy Town is estimated at $1 million and improvements in Marsh Harbour should cost around $750,000. Green Turtle is estimated at approximately $250,000.”
Along with the completion of the Forrest Drive sidewalk, Mr Davis said work on the bridge and port in North Abaco are progressing and have not been cancelled, contrary to reports.

Additionally, Mr Davis said, the government’s Urban Renewal Programme will be introduced to the island on October 11.

“The Urban Renewal office will be located at the old National Insurance Building, two buildings down from the Police Station in Dundas Town.

“Abaco, like various communities in New Providence and Grand Bahama, can now expect the many social and policing programmes associated with Urban Renewal as well as the urban neighbourhood development programmes which will seek to clear debris, old cars, and abandoned buildings from communities in order to make them safer, cleaner and more habitable,” he said.
Construction on the gymnasium has been delayed, said Mr Davis, because the land marked for the site by the previous government has been deemed “unsuitable”.