Today’s news that Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Mellisa Arrindell-Doncher kicked off the Back Street project will no doubt be welcomed by merchants, residents and motorists alike. Especially those who frequent the street such as bus drivers had been complaining about its poor state for some time, although emergency repairs were made not too long ago.
It’s actually the second time ground has been broken, so people are hoping that on this occasion the much-needed renovation of the road surface will really take place. A few doubts have been expressed about the way bricks were originally laid there and the constant potholes caused by rain and the shifting beach sand below.
Observers say a better foundation could have prevented or at least minimised the recurring problem. However, all that is now proverbial water under the bridge, as the road will be paved and the drainage regulated to solve the issue once and for all.
It was also stated that the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI has made it possible for homeowners and businesses to connect sewage lines at their own expense while the work is being done. That sounds alright, but one can’t help but wonder whether they won’t be discouraged from doing so by making them pay for it.
As a matter of fact, that is said to have been one of the reasons many buildings weren’t added when the central sewage system was first laid in Philipsburg and connected to the treatment plant on Illidge Road. Of course, these structures must all still have cesspools that function well if regularly emptied and maintained, but if that’s not the case the result is often dirty water running in the streets of the downtown shopping area at the expense of the general public, including visitors who fuel the local tourism economy.
Considering the environmental aspect, ideal would be for everyone in reach of sewer lines to be connected free of charge. That may seem like wishful thinking, but the ultimate goal should be for less raw sewage to end up in the ground or worse.
