Persistent agitation by Harrold Road business operators has persuaded Public Works officials to reconsider a key feature of the Harrold Road Improvement Project just weeks before the scheduled completion of refurbishment of the roadway, according to Works and Utilities Minister Bradley Roberts.
Business owners along Harrold Road have for weeks been expressing concerns over the loss of business due to certain changes along the popular thoroughfare.
For several months, businesspersons along Harrold Road have complained that their businesses have suffered as a result of the protracted works in that area.
Chief among their concerns was a complaint that the roadside curbs are too long and do not allow adequate access to their establishments.
Following a “dynamic and frank” meeting with a group of business operators on Wednesday, Minister Roberts said his Ministry would consider various proposals that the businesspersons suggested to help improve access to their establishments.
One suggestion, he said, involved extending the 0.3 mile service road between Blue Hill Road and Chapel Drive.
“Some of the business operators are of the opinion that such an extension could help to improve their business levels,” Minister Roberts said.
“Every person had a different point of view and a different concern and interest so we will see how best we can accommodate all of them without compromising the goals and objectives planned as part of the overall programme for the New Providence Road Improvement Project.”
On Wednesday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Utilities Anita Bernard said officials hope to have all aspects of the Harrold Road project completed by the end of next month.
During the signing of a $5.7 million contract to revive the project in February 2004 Works and Utilities officials indicated that the initiative was expected to be completed by February of this year.
Minister Roberts also assured Harrold Road businesspersons yesterday that the government is committed to supporting their ventures.
“For all employers the government would have a concern to promote their interests and advancement,” he said.
“We also told the owners of businesses in that area to give the roadway an opportunity to settle in and they might be surprised to see what benefits there will be as a result of an improved movement of traffic along that thoroughfare.”
Noting the importance of the small business sector to the national economy, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Philip Simon commended the government’s responsiveness to the concerns of Harrold Road businesspersons.
“Any assistance that we can give from a governmental level or from a business level, in particular the Chamber of Commerce, we look very favourably upon,” Mr. Simon said.
“I’m happy to hear that the Minister (of Works and Utilities) was able to meet with the Harrold Road business operators and I’m sure that he and the government are seeking to provide as much assistance to them given the current situation.”
Minister Roberts did not indicate if any of the suggestions by the businesspersons would be likely to be approved by the Ministry and incorporated into the project, but he said officials would consider the recommendations and notify the operators of their decision “in due course”.
By: Darrin Culmer, The Bahama Journal
