Highway beautification project hailed a success

The Highway Beautification Pilot Project which utilises several small landscaping businesses to de-bush and clean roadways for the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) has been described as a success.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works, Santia Bradshaw made this declaration during the launch of the Highway Beautification Project’s Entrepreneurial Development Training Programme at the Parkinson Resource Centre on Wednesday.

Bradshaw explained that the pilot project, which was launched in October last year, has yielded resounding success to date.

Under the initiative, 15 small entrepreneurs have been assigned to maintain a minimum of 20 kilometres within different parishes monthly. Each business is required to employ approximately ten workers to execute the tasks of weeding, trimming vegetation, de-bushing along the road verges, clearing drains, and removing and adequately disposing of the debris.

“So far, this outsourcing model is proving to be very successful. We have seen significant results as the businesses are paid based on the amount of work their teams complete,” she said. “Through this model, MTW is not only improving safety by ensuring the roadways are kept clear of overgrown bushes, but through this project, we have been able to relieve our depot staff of the de-bushing duties so that they can now be reassigned to more complex roadworks projects.”

Bradshaw added that the project is empowering small entrepreneurs with the ability to provide employment opportunities within communities. Additionally, she said, it is helping to enhance the business skills of owners and workers through the training provided by the Barbados Trust Loan Fund.

Pointing out that the project has not been without challenges, the Transport Minister disclosed that many of the teams encountered cow-itch frequently, making it difficult for them to effectively clear some sections along their routes.

Another challenge that teams have come across is downed electrical powerlines, as well as electrical cables entangled in vegetation. Noting that those types of scenarios are assigned to the Barbados Light and Power Company Ltd, she added that the BL&P provided training to help the teams identify these dangers.

Minister Bradshaw further noted that even with signage and cones in place, workers under the project often operate within the roadways or verges to carry out their work. She therefore appealed to motorists to drive with caution.

The Highway Beautification Pilot Project is being supervised, monitored, and evaluated by Stonebridge Construction on behalf of MTW before the programme can be fully implemented across the country.

Over the next six weeks, owners and workers from the 15 small businesses contracted to work with the pilot project will participate in business training facilitated by the Barbados Trust Loan Fund under the theme, Cultivating Success: The Business of Landscaping and Entrepreneurial Management Essentials.

(PR/MTW)