Manning promises better roads

PRIME Minister Patrick Manning has promised a massive upgrade of the nation’s roadways over the next five years. He was addressing the formal commissioning of the Solomon Hochoy Highway from Tarouba to Golconda yesterday. Manning, who thanked residents for their patience over the two-year-long construction work, said that the country could expect a similar exercise over the coming years. “Over the next 48 to 60 months, your patriotism will again be tested, albeit in a rather positive way and out of some necessity with respect to the implementation of what might very well be the most expansive road transportation taking place in the English-speaking Caribbean over the period,” he said.

He observed that by July 2004, some 71.15 kilometres of refurbished roads would have been completed by the PNM administration. The Prime Minister also revealed that phase two of the highway extension project would see its extension to Point Fortin in the deep South and Mayaro in the east. Afterwards, the Prime Minister was asked whether he was willing to reveal the date for the 2004 budget date. He said that the date would be known in due time. Also attending the opening were Education Minister, Hazel Manning; House Speaker, Barry Sinanan; Professor Compton Bourne, IDB representative and Petrotrin chairman, Malcolm Jones.