By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune News Editor

rrolle@tribunemedia.net    

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday criticised the Davis administration for what he called a sluggish response to worsening road conditions across New Providence, saying the growing number of potholes has become a safety hazard for motorists.

Dr Minnis said the persistent rain in September and the recent tropical storm had exposed the government’s poor maintenance of the island’s road network, with countless deep craters now damaging vehicles and endangering lives.

“The persistent rain in September and the tropical storm led to significant potholes emerging across our road network in New Providence,” he said in the House of Assembly. “These potholes are numerous and dangerous. They can cause vehicles to lose tires or wheels due to the number of them and their depth.”

He noted that conditions worsen during heavy rain when water conceals the potholes from drivers, increasing the risk of accidents.

“The potholes become especially dangerous when there is rain,” Dr Minnis said. “The water covers them, making them invisible to unassuming drivers. Some of the potholes are so deep that they could cause serious accidents. The government needs to move more aggressively to patch the potholes in New Providence. The current speed of repair is not good enough.”

He questioned why repairs only seem to begin after widespread public complaints, noting that residents have taken to social media in frustration.

“Bahamians are complaining all over social media about this issue,” he said. “The prime minister says the government has a lot of money. If so, then there should be no problem in executing the necessary contracts to ensure that the road network is in better shape.”

He said pothole repair should be a continuous process, not one that waits for crises to emerge.

“This is a problem that should never arise,” he said. “If the island is split into zones and the contractors know their areas, they should always be moving around to patch the holes.”

Dr Minnis cited a Tribune report this week detailing the growing public frustration with road conditions across the capital. The report noted that tyre shops and mechanics are “swamped with customers” as crumbling streets, worsened by rain, wreak havoc on vehicles from Carmichael Road to Robinson Road and across much of the island.

It also recalled the Ministry of Works’ 2022 announcement of a two-year, 55-mile paving programme intended to reduce potholes by mid-2025, following a survey that rated most roads in poor condition. Despite those assurances, residents across New Providence and the Family Islands continue to complain about deteriorating roads and costly repairs.