Minister of Planning and Development and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for coordinating infrastructural projects and development commissions, Dr William Duguid has acknowledged that while the government is not perfect, it continues to make steady progress in cleaning up the island and tackling issues such as derelict vehicles and overgrown lots.
Responding to public calls for greater action to clean up areas in Christ Church and across the island, Duguid, who is also the MP for Christ Church West, maintained that the administration’s efforts are ongoing and measurable.
“The government is not perfect. Nobody is. Perfection is divine. That is only for the Lord. However, we do try our best,” he told the audience during the Ideas Forum — Christ Church Edition at the Christ Church Foundation School on Thursday evening, held as part of the parish’s We Gatherin’ celebrations.
He noted improvement in the country’s sanitation capacity as an example of the administration’s commitment.
“You remember when we took office, there were 12 trucks. Now we have over 60 trucks,” Dr. Duguid said. “That is not just talk only. That is action. And that is what this government is about. Do we do everything perfectly? No. Are we trying and improving and making things better? Absolutely.”
Addressing the specific concern of abandoned cars lining roadsides across the country, the senior minister stressed that while the government is taking steps to remove them, the law requires due process.
“When it comes to cars that you see that are derelict, there is a process. You cannot just go and take up somebody’s car because it is their property. You have to put the sign on it, wait the time for them to respond, then go through the Ministry of Health when it’s put, give them more time,” he explained.
He added that there is also a call-in facility available for members of the public to report derelict vehicles and other unsightly areas for attention.
“So yes, we have things to do. Yes, there’s work to be done, but we’re doing our best,” Duguid said.
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