Since work commenced on the West Coast road last month, there have been several complaints from motorists about the number of widening potholes left unattended as well as the length of road graded by the contractor.
Lack of signage, as well as the effects of dust on residents and commuters are also areas of concern.
The Department of Infrastructure, Ports and Transport (DIPT) has since apologised for the inconveniences on behalf of the contractor.
However, on Monday, the Minister with responsibility for Infrastructure, Ports and Transport, Stephenson King did not hold back on his feelings towards the contractor.
“Along the West coast the company Namalco is on that road and I must say I am disappointed in the company, I am very disappointed in Namalco,” King told reporters.
“I have seen and I have complained about lack of signage in some instances, in some cases activities that I believe are disrespectful and insensitive to the population, the Government and people of Saint Lucia,” he stated.
King said that he was hoping that those in charge including the consultants, project management team and engineers would pay greater attention to what is going on.
“Particularly now, when we see an extensive length of road has been scarified and reclaimed, with the hope of repaving. I do not believe that the people should go through this activity,” he said.
According to King, when contractors work for a country, they must respect the country, the government and people.
“And I have no apology making as far as that statement is concerned,” he emphasised.
The National Council on Public Transport (NCOPT) recently voiced its concern over the project saying that the conditions pose potential threats to bus drivers and passengers.
“The open trenches, potholes, and traffic congestion have made the route unacceptable,” NCOPT Public Relations Officer Spencer McPhee said.
Can someone please put some tape on this lazy man’s mouth he shouldn’t be talking…shush
Why is he making noise trying to pretend to work? What is his job anyway?
If only he could move from his office sometimes, most times, visit the construction sites, see for himself, ask questions & hear the complaints try to give some half azz answer explanations, at least that’s what we expect from politicians, no not him easy job damn it why bother
Who gave the contract in the first place? Stevenson king maybe 🤔
Stop employing cowboys and get the jobs done properly by qualified workers as you promised.
2024 is the year of infrastructure MY A**E
Of course absolute nonsense from the Minister. Who awarded the contract to that company, and what are the terms and conditions! This is now becoming habitual, we have Ministers of Government, the Prime Minister, complaining about things instead of taking action which they are in a position to do.
All the powers that be, are too timid in this country. They keep appealing, warning or otherwise just yapping,
instead of taking corrective action to correct an illegal action.
The same way y’all fire oecc for health and safety breaches, do the same for Namalco
Lol..same thing he said for the Millennium Highway contractors. Dead weight minister. And I’m a diehard Labour party supporter. This man should have never been invited to our cabinet.
Shifting blame when he’s the one who supposed to be managing all of this. Silly man.
I am so disappointed at the above comments. It shows clearly that some Lucians are real daft.
I concur and often wondered; if some of those posting these comments ever went to school or understand what is being said.
Sorry for them, they’re colour and politically blinded.
I am 100% sure that if Rayneau was the one contracted to do this road we would not have been in this situation.
The real problem is that this Government didn’t have any one else to put in this position, just like many of its appointments square pegs in round holes. Health same thing, national security, labour and the list goes on and on….
Fix the roads.
Calling commenters daft, when Stephanie King has proven to be inept at his job from the very beginning. The current state of things lies squarely with him. He’s in charge. If you went to a doctor and his practice constantly showed an inability to do it’s job adequately, do you blame the nurses or the doctor? Think before you speak.
Who is this Lydia Estaphane idiot? The man has repeatedly under performed his role as minister and always blaming the contractor. Who is the contractors boss? Who was in charge of st judes? Who was in charge of the millennium highway project? He acts like he is a project manager and engineer so why not play the role. Like most people say, I think he is dead weight….saying so much but we all can see through the smoke!!