AS PART of our mission to be the People Paper, THE WEEKEND STAR has been highlighting problem areas across the island. Our Reporter Carolyn Johnson, along with photographer Norman Grindley, will focus on a particular area until the problem is fixed. We will then have a rough idea of how long the relevant authorities take to deal with some of the problems affecting our country.

If you traverse Mona Road, you would have realised that the road seemingly deteriorated overnight about a month ago. At present, there is a 'rubble road' where Old Hope Road meets Hope Road, while the asphalt along Mona Road up to Munroe Road has been cut.

The pipes on the sidewalk opposite the Munroe Road intersection is a telltale sign that the National Water Commission (NWC) is responsible for the bad roads and long traffic delays.

NWC takes the blame

Charles Buchanan, corporate public relations manager at the NWC, took the blame and apologised for the inconvenience motorists and pedestrians have been experiencing.

Buchanan explained that the NWC has hired a contractor to lay sewer mains, laterals (pipes leading from the main to the customer) and manholes along Mona Road from near the US Embassy to Munroe Road. While work has been completed at the top of Mona Road and is awaiting paving, trenches are still being dug along Mona Road. He said while it may have been easier and quicker to work with the trench open, they have asked the contractors to do the most efficient and quickest work with the least interruption for motorists and pedestrians.

The good news, he says that within two weeks, the road should be "back to normal driving conditions".