SIMON: Stop the Half-Measures: Demand Real Road Safety and Accountability for Pumphouse Rail Repairs

Stop the Half-Measures: Demand Real Road Safety and Accountability for Pumphouse Rail Repairsby Hon. Kelvin Simon

Another day, another hollow victory for Senator Dwayne George and Team Labour. This time, they’re parading their so-called “rebuilding” of the Pumphouse Corner rail as some grand achievement — a rail that, mind you, was only installed a year ago. Yes, just one year. But thanks to subpar materials and even worse judgment, two cars have already smashed through it.

When the original rails were installed, the public immediately questioned the flimsy poles used. Were they strong enough to protect drivers? The answer came with a crash — twice. Now, here we are, paying to do it all over again. Granny always said, “Things done in halves are never done right,” and this mess is Exhibit A.

How many times will taxpayers be forced to fund the same project? This isn’t development; it’s deception. Was the project even approved by the Development Control Authority (DCA), or did Senator George simply greenlight it as a political prop? If history is any guide, expect to see another “repair” in 2025 — with another invoice for taxpayers.

As Junior Minister of Finance, Senator George has the keys to the public purse, but with that power comes responsibility. Slapping on a patch and calling it progress is not responsible governance; it’s a slap in the face to every citizen who pays for it. Quality matters. Durability matters. If you can’t guarantee those, stop wasting our money.

This isn’t an isolated failure for Senator George. Remember the Bolans playfield? The field was torn up, stadium seating promised, and a cheque issued. That was 18 months ago. Today, residents stare at an empty field of broken promises. How many more unfinished projects will it take before communities demand better?

If Team Labour claims to care about community safety, then prove it. Release a full report on the Pumphouse project. Who were the contractors? What was the budget? What guarantees do we have that this rail won’t collapse again? Without answers, it’s clear that Team Labour’s “commitment” to safety is just more political posturing.

Photo ops are easy. Accountability is not. The people of Antigua and Barbuda deserve more than quick fixes, empty pledges, and recycled failures. It’s time to stop celebrating mediocrity and start demanding results.

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