Atherley wants answers

Opposition Leader Joseph Atherley wants Government to shed some light on proposed plans to expand the fish fry area at Baxter’s Road, St Michael.

Atherley, who is the Member of Parliament for St Michael West, told Parliament today that he was seeking answers regarding any expansion plans in the area for those Westbury Road residents who have been approaching him with questions about what they have been hearing about the proposed project.

He made it clear that the residents are not objecting to an expansion of the popular fish fry area, but noted that they have objected to any plans without the necessary consultation with them first.

Atherley said: “An expansion brings increased traffic, it brings increased activity and this activity tends to stretch very late in the night. It can bring increased noise of entertainment, and the residents are simply asking if this is to be done, whether it’s the Ministry of Agriculture or whoever it is, that consultation be had with them out of a sense of respect and civility of decency. And I ask for that on their behalf and I trust that the word would fall on those ears that need to hear.”

The Opposition Leader also raised concerns about residents at Country Park Towers who have complained about infrastructural issues and lack of repairs to the units. He called on Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, Dr William Duguid to look into the issues that have been causing a headache for the residents of the City housing development project.

In addition, Atherley called on Government to do something with the abandoned building that once housed the Louis Lynch Secondary School which had to be closed due to serious environmental issues that affected the school body. He said the plant has been left to deteriorate and noted that he was looking forward to Government’s plans for the building.

He also inquired about what has been happening with the Urban Tenantry programme which he said has significantly benefited residents in his constituency between 1999 and 2008 during the Owen Arthur administration.

“I simply ask what’s happened to that programme. Ownership is absolutely vital if we are going to change and transform Barbados.” Atherley said. “I would like to see some substance of action to follow through what has been said and to make sure that some of those who still live in a tentative relationship in St Michael West with respect to lands can be facilitated even in these harsh economic times. We are finding money to give to that cause and to give to this group. We must not forget that programmes like these elevate people and give them a platform from which, in economic terms, their lives can take off.” (AH)