Almost two weeks before US President Barack Obama is due to arrive in Jamaica; the government stated that a massive repaving programme across sections of the Corporate Area will be done. Many have assumed that President Obama coming to the island is the cause of such a renovation.
It is no question that numerous roads in Jamaica are in poor condition; patterned with potholes some so deep that wheels are lost in it. For years, cries to fix the roads have not been addressed especially in the rural and inner city areas so one can see reason in such assumption. According to National Works Agency (NWA), that is not the case and that the timing of this project and the arrival of the president of USA could be mere coincidence. State Minister for Works Richard Azan, confirmed this further on as he stated the repairs are not being done for the president’s visit.
According to the Jamaica-gleaner.com, NWA Communications Manager Stephen Shaw said:
“I don’t know anything about Mr Obama’s schedule …It could just be a coincidence.”
However, based on reports, much of the repairs cover the route Mr. Obama is scheduled to take during his visit in Jamaica. The areas to be repaired include Marescaux Road, Heroes Circle, Caledonia Avenue and Mona Road, between the post office and the main gate to the UWI, as well as the intersection of Oxford Road and Old Hope Road. The Oxford Road/Knutsford Boulevard intersection will also be done, as well as the section of Mona Road, between the post office and main gate to the UWI.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced in Parliament earlier this month that Obama is to arrive in Kingston on April 9 for an official state visit, during which he will hold bilateral discussions on a range of issues of mutual interest as well as to address a group of students at the University of the West Indies (UWI).
While many people are happy the president of USA is visiting Jamaica, they are also disheartened that a president has to come here before such an announcement. One female even commented via a radio station that she wished Mr. Obama’s route included the streets of the inner cities, maybe then their roads would be fixed.
