Where are you heading?

Whilst the politicians debate who gets credit for the just commissioned overpass at Aranjues, (presently only the Aranjues lights have been removed) the fact is that the removal of the El Socorro and Aranjues traffic lights has not been able to offer any ease to the traffic woes many face daily an claimed by the Minister of Works. The former Minister of Works had indicated that this will not work, his words were “it’s an overpass leading to nowhere”, he was referring to the fact that the secondary roads were not completed. It is a fact that not all the secondary roads are not completed but even if these are completed, I cannot see any decrease in the traffic build-up heading into the city.

The fact is that with these overpasses at Aranjues and at the Grand Bazaar  intersection does not take away from the number of vehicles entering Port of Spain. What they do instead is ease up traffic heading in all directions other than Port of Spain. (you don’t have to wait on lights anymore). But the same number of vehicles that travelled to Port of Spain prior to the overpass remains today, post overpass.

A once in a lifetime opportunity has been ignored as we spent billions in Port of Spain on buildings to house several government ministries. What should have been done instead was to move these ministries out of Port of Spain, effectively reducing the vehicles that has to go into the city. By doing this we would not necessarily have to construct these over passes that does nothing for the traffic heading into the city. (Remember, the aim was to reduce traffic entering POS.)

Why has our governments not looked at this issue of decentralisation? I think this would make the most sense in terms of our development and most importantly, the efficient use of our resources. With decentralisation we create so many opportunities whilst also addressing issues like traffic. By having major government offices located out of Port of Spain for example, you open up the opportunity for new cities/towns, new opportunities for businesses, employment etc.

Unless those in authorities decide to use the resources of this country in a manner that will benefit most in stead of an elite few, we will continue to have the problems we face daily and when the revenue stream has dried up those of us who said nothing when it was prudent to do so will complain and that right there is part of our culture, the politicians love this, that way they can continue with their agenda, which mind you has nothing to do with the development of the people. We will continue to have the very problems they claim to be addressing as they squander our resources which benefit an elite few.

Note: pics taken on 19 January 2011 at 7.06 am