The Editor, Sir:

On Saturday, August 19, 2006, I drove from Lucea in Hanover to Y.S. Falls in St. Elizabeth and was shocked and appalled at the condition of the road. Not only were there numerous potholes, but in some places there were craters.

While driving I saw at least ten motorists changing tyres damaged by these potholes and craters. I had hoped that the roads where I live, in Coral Gardens, St. James, almost all of which are becoming dirt tracks, would someday be fixed. However, after seeing the condition of the main roads, I now have no hope.

Not acceptable

With the condition of the roads in Jamaica, we can no longer accept the Government saying it has no money for repairs. It is obvious that the National Works Agency and the road and works departments of the Parish Councils are not doing their job.

My suggestion to the Govern-ment is that it use the US$260 million it intends to borrow from Venezuela to fix the roads in Jamaica and postpone Highway 2000; that the registration fees for motor vehicles be raised, on a sliding scale, and that the additional fee be placed in a special fund which should be used only for road repairs. Impose a special tax on gasoline earmarked specifically for road repairs.

Think of the benefit to the country by this mass road improvement project. It would provide jobs for the unemployed and the savings by motorists, in terms of car repairs, would be worth the added fees and taxes.

It is time that we demand better roads in our country and I submit that Highway 2000 is not absolutely necessary at this time.

I am, etc.,

PERCIVAL A. CLARKE

percivalclarke@hotmail.com

Lot 277 Giradet Terrace

Coral Gardens, Montego Bay

Via Go-Jamaica