Burrell Boom residents are scratching their heads after a road paved through the center of the village is quickly falling apart. It's subpar work - sponsored by the BTB - with what we are told are contaminated stones leading to a poor chip and seal job. The culverts are also placed too high among other defects.
When we asked the MIDH Chief Engineer about it today - he says they had nothing to do with it:
Jules Vasquez
"Somebody built a road in Burrell Boom. I heard not with the supervision of MIDH, and the road is a mess. No culverts, no drainage. Is it something that you're aware of, Evondale?"
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH
"Yes, I am aware of that project. It was implemented, I understand, by BTB. They had asked us permission for them to do the upgrade, but we were never asked to look and do the supervision of those works. We visited, I think, a week or a week and a half ago, and we saw the status of it as well."
"And I had written a letter to BTB that we will not give further permission for any upgrades of roads without or proper supervision, or that they engage a consultant to supervise the works. So, yes, we're aware of that issue, and we're aware that the works were not done to a high standard. Yes, we're aware."
Jules Vasquez
"And, you know, it's public funds. Who will fix it, and it affects the community. Obviously, it's they who have lived with the road. Also, tourists will be travelling along the road. Who remediates this?"
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH
"That's a good question. And from our part, it more than likely has to be BTB. However, in discussions, as I said, with our Minister and our CEO, we will ensure that they get it done properly."
"With proper supervision, but it's not an MIDH project. We were never asked to supervise these works. And so, because it's still a part of our road network, we will have to ensure that it is corrected and corrected quickly."
