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Last Updated: Jul 19, 2018 - 4:15:02 PM |
 Communication By The Hon. Thomas Desmond Bannister Member Of Parliament (Carmichael) & Minister Of Public Works Concerning On Light Poles Damaged By Careless Drivers 18th July, 2018:
Mr. Speaker, I wish to issue this short communication on the damage that we have caused to light poles in recent times as a result of careless driving.
The Airport Gateway was constructed at considerable cost to the Bahamian people. It provides a wonderful welcome to this island, and enhances our ability to travel to the airport and western New Providence. The attractive lighting on the gateway adds to the ambiance and improves safety for all drivers.
Regrettably, more and more thes e innocent, stationary light poles were becoming victims of careless drivers in inordinately large numbers.
In 2015 the Ministry of Works was forced to enter into a contract to pay $248,823.25 to replace damaged light poles on the Airport Gateway; on Ton ique Darling Highway, on the six legged roundabout; on the road between GHS and COB; on the highway west of GHS; and on the highway to Saunders Beach due mainly to the negligence of careless drivers .
Prior to January of this year the Ministry of Public Wor ks had been responsible for replacing these damaged light poles. In January, B.P.L. has assumed this responsibility. However, my
Ministry is responsible for an additional $93,842.15, which is the sum that is required to replace additional light poles tha t have now been destroyed by irresponsible drivers.
B.P.L. has now advised me that they are now responsible for replacing 88 damaged poles. However. To date they have replaced 34 poles, which means that 54 more must be replaced. Regrettably, that number continues to rise on a daily basis.
B.P.L. continues to await the arrival of their latest shipment of poles at a current cost of $1,947/per 30’ pole . When the next shipment arrives, poles must be replaced throughout New Providence, but particularly on B ay Street, the Airport Gateway, Tonique Williams Highway, the Bethel Avenue, Sir. Milo Butler Highway, and East West Highway.
Mr. Speaker, we cannot continue in this manner. I, therefore, take this opportunity to beg my fellow commuters to exercise care as we traverse the roads, and to report persons who they witness hitting poles. There are better uses for our tax money than continually replacing light poles that have been destroyed by uncaring drivers.
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
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