A group of Cabinet ministers traveled to Andros and Harbour Island yesterday for the signing of two road construction and repair contracts worth a combined valued of $3.8 million.  The contracts are part of the government's commitment to repair damaged infrastructure throughout the country, said Minister of Works Neko Grant.  The group included: Education Minister Desmond Bannister; North Eleuthera MP Alvin Smith; State Minister of Lands and Local Government Byran Woodside; and Environment Minister Earl Deveaux.

The ministers arrived in North Andros first for the signing of a $2,523,280 contract for the reconstruction and repair of 5.3 miles of road in Stanyard Creek.  "Today, the trust agenda, infrastructure crusade march continues with a stop here in Stanyard Creek," said Grant at the signing ceremony.  "Andros, we are here this morning because we care, because we love you and we are delighted to be here as we seek to improve the quality of life for all of you."
A little more than a month ago, his ministry signed $3.5 million in contracts for infrastructure work in Andros, Grant said.

He added that the government has invested $6 million in infrastructure work in North Andros with yesterday's contract signing.  "Never in the history of this island has that kind of infrastructure work been done in such a short period," said Grant.  The roadwork in North Andros is expected to create as many as 80 jobs for local men and women, said Basil Neymour, the project's contractor.  Neymour, father of Minister of State for the Environment Phenton Neymour, said work will begin on the project today.

The project was welcomed by one resident who is fed up with the poor state of the roads in her settlement.  "We've been going through this for years," said Charmaine Lubin, a school teacher in Stanyard Creek.  "I moved back to Andros 10 years now and I've changed two vehicles since I came back here.  "That's how bad the road is, especially in the inner communities.  We prefer to ride bicycles and walk because we cannot afford to ride our cars on the road."

Yesterday, the group - with the exception of Bannister - visited Harbour Island for the signing of a $1,285,208 contract for the repair and paving of roads, which were damaged during an overhaul of water mains and pipes on that island.  Nu View Construction, a company on Harbour Island, was selected to perform the work.  Vice-president and director Quinten Kemp said work will begin tomorrow.  The project will employ 10 workers at the outset, he said.

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