Davis: I'm not aware of potholes

As of Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Deputy Prime Minister Philip 'Brave' Davis

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of Works Philip “Brave” Davis said he was unaware of complaints about numerous potholes in the area of Montagu and Village Road but urged motorists to bring their issues to his ministry. He was asked to comment after a motorist complained about numerous potholes in the area that have made “driving a mess” during her daily commutes to and from home.

Last month, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn told The Tribune that he has been made aware of the poor road conditions and has on a number of occasions contacted Ministry of Works officials concerning the issue.

When questioned on the matter yesterday, Mr Davis, who is also deputy prime minister, said: “I’m not aware of (the complaints) but we have a team that goes out, and we have the island sectionalised to look after potholes.”

“Once it’s been brought to our attention, we fix it. I seldom go in certain areas, but if there are potholes, please complain to us and we’ll attend to getting it fixed.”

Yesterday, the motorist, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Tribune that the holes on East Bay Street near Montagu and on Village Road have her “swerving in and out” of traffic in an attempt to avoid hitting the nuisances.

She added that despite her attempts to avoid them, her car tyre was recently blown out as a result of striking one of the holes.

The resident said Ministry of Works employees have been “constantly digging up” Village Road for several weeks, further complicating the matter. She said the problem has got so bad that every time she drives on Village Road she finds new holes that weren’t there before.

“The road, East Bay Street near Montagu and Village Road, is littered with pot holes some resembling craters,” the resident said. “It’s a danger to motorists and shows that our tax dollars are not properly spent. If they can’t even allocate money to fix holes properly, it makes me wonder what will happen when value added tax comes on stream.”

Last month, Mr Lightbourn said he has been trying to get the road problems in his constituency fixed.

“I have made a number of representations on behalf of the residents in that area concerning the potholes, in particular two on Village Road, that are really dangerous to persons driving in that area,” Mr Lightbourn said.

“Usually there is a fast response to resolve these types of issues. I was in contact with the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Works (over) the last couple of weeks trying to correct the matter,” Mr Lightbourn added.

Former Minister of Works Neko Grant previously suggested that poor road conditions like the ones in the Montagu area are a result of “a lack of due diligence”.

He said that persons being contracted to carry out road repairs are not being properly vetted to ensure that they are capable of getting the job done correctly.

ThisIsOurs 9 years, 4 months ago

Jesus take the wheel. This can't be another report stopping work...

What kind of organization functions properly when only problems the Head are aware of get addressed?

TheMadHatter 9 years, 4 months ago

No, you are wrong. He is now aware of it, but is saying he is still not going to do anything about it. He referred the person to his Ministry.

He is not a member of his ministry? Doesn't he wonder why someone would ask him such as question instead of "someone" in his ministry? Doesn't he consider that maybe they have already been round and round with no result and that is why they are asking him if he can help?

Anyway, his answer is a clear NO he cannot.

TheMadHatter

ThisIsOurs 9 years, 4 months ago

Hmm...got it. Definitely the worst minister ever.

ohdrap4 9 years, 4 months ago

i had to change a tire because of a pothole on village road.

soldier road between wull and robinson is disgraceful too

Sickened 9 years, 4 months ago

Why is Brave Davis still a Minister of anything? The only thing he is aware of is how much money is in his overseas bank accounts.

asiseeit 9 years, 4 months ago

Or to busy fighting over B.E.C.?

GrassRoot 9 years, 4 months ago

too busy fighting over the bounty from selling B.E.C., rather.

Publius 9 years, 4 months ago

How can someone who is not governing anything, know anything much? These people are not governing, they are sitting in the seats pillaging and plundering until they die or are voted out, whichever comes first.

sansoucireader 9 years, 4 months ago

So funny to see this article as I was just thinking this morning he must be the WORSE Minister of Works EVER in the history of the Bahamas. I guess if he's not aware of it, it doesn't exist.

ThisIsOurs 9 years, 4 months ago

I agree

BoopaDoop 9 years, 4 months ago

Is this man aware of ANYTHING?

digimagination 9 years, 4 months ago

Exactly right!

TalRussell 9 years, 4 months ago

Teak about MP Richard deflecting more serious Montagu problems that need attention. Where is Loretta when she's needed in Montagu - cause you know Montagu was all Potholes free under her reign. Comrades wouldn't be be funny as hell, if "potholes" were to be the cause behind DPM "Brave," not succeeding PM Christie? We have so many Potholes, the PLP Government is introducing the Pothole Conservation fund.

John 9 years, 4 months ago

Even the road where Brave Davis lives is falling into potholes. Half the lights by Super Value in thst area have been off since June but the minister of works is not aware?

TheMadHatter 9 years, 4 months ago

He gets a police escort - he don't need to stop for no light.

TheMadHatter 9 years, 4 months ago

Wonder why when the question was put to him, he didn't just reach into his pocket and pull out his cell phone and give Colin Higgs a call?

Are they not on speaking terms? If not then he ought to push the PM to appoint a new Permanent Secretary or move Colin around until he gets sick.

The real reason for all of this, however, is that there is no money to buy the patch material. The Government has spent all of our money, and all of the money that the IDB gave them.

YOUR GRANDCHILDREN get the pleasure of paying the IDB back.

TheMadHatter

BoopaDoop 9 years, 4 months ago

They could get an unsecured commercial loan from BOB since that bank has been rescued and has been advertising heavily of late.

carmichaelrdgal 9 years, 4 months ago

I dropped in a pot hole near meat maxx on carmichael rd like 3 months ago & could you believe the hole is still there? Numerous holes in most of Nassau streets, The slackers take over and everything is outta control

GrassRoot 9 years, 4 months ago

u still in the hole? that's a scandal....

GrassRoot 9 years, 4 months ago

I suggest to use all the shit the government produces to fill up the potholes. At least that does not cost anything and it is a unlimited commodity. Once the potholes are filled, we can take the rest and build a second Mount Everest and offer tourists an extended skiing season. good diversification and we are finally putting all the shit to work.

The Tribune