Hugo Patt Slams Government Over Failing ‘Climate-Resilient’ Roads in Northern Belize

Area Representative for Corozal North, Hugo Patt, rose in the house today criticizing the government on the quality of road infrastructure in northern Belize.  The discussion came as part of the loan motion debate where monies are earmarked for more road works.  According to Patt, something is awry when a road is built as climate resilient, but still results in quick deterioration.

Hugo Patt, Area Representative, Corozal North: “Part of the funding on these motions, Madam Speaker, loan motions go directly to climate resilient roads. And why do I bring this issue? And I will make reference to what we have experienced in Corozal North. I brought the issue of the substandard quality of roads being built, particularly in the area of the Remate Road. While we hear from some members in the government side that it is because we’re getting excessive rains. Last year we got a long drought and that these are the kinds of weather conditions that are affecting the quality of the roads. I will refer and I will agree to what the member for Collet said. Our climate is very resilient to the roads that we’re building. And why is that so? Because we are simply not understanding that what the government is currently doing in terms of designing these roads is not meeting the purpose that it is intended to meet. And so here we go again spending on the same formula and getting the kinds of results that we are getting. We heard it from the member of Cayo South that we’re building a road in southern Belize. It’s just in the process of being built and it is already showing patches. What is that telling us? There is a flaw in the design. There is a flaw in the area that we are not looking at very carefully. If we’re looking, if we’re finding excuses, and the excuse is oh because we have a lot of rain, oh because there was a long drought then why are we not concentrating on the areas that we need to concentrate ? If we know that these are the conditions that we’re gonna have present day, these conditions are going nowhere then we need to look at the entire design program to see where the flaws are so that if we are getting these fundings at very concessionary rates but the results intended are not met then we’re defeating the purpose. I am just seeing what’s gonna happen here going forward into five years. We’re gonna come back at this very same house to basically present another set of loan motions to basically fix what was not done properly. I would take us to Corozal North. I had complained about the substandard quality of the road. It went on deaf ears according to the technical people in the ministry, according to the engineers, everything was in order. One year after it has been built flaws are already showing. Don’t go far, Madam Speaker. I heard the member from Cayo South indicating that look, we have built hundreds of miles of roads and that there are certain small patches where we are seeing the defects. For those of us who live in Corozal there is an area right in front of the Remate Lagoon, probably half mile, that road, Madam Speaker, was built completely. It was chip and seal not even a year now that road has been completely destroyed and now they’re redoing it again. This road was meant to be climate resilient. There is something wrong in the way that we’re doing this. My biggest concern here is that, look, we’re getting additional funding precisely to build roads that are climate resilient but we are not seeing the results on the road.”

Minister of Infrastructure Development, Julius Espat, was evidently upset over Patt’s remarks and insinuating some level of hypocrisy.  Here is how Espat responded.

Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South: “I had sent to Polytechnica, which is the consultant for that road after the last time that he mentioned it. And it says here “based on the last inspection visited by us consultants, Polytechnica, we have no report of such damages. We have seen some minor inconsistencies on the pedestrian crossing near Escuela Mexico, which has been dealt with the contractor. We have no reports of damage on the Remate Road by the consultant nor the project execution unit. Our last inspection was a month ago. Also please note that the liability defects period goes until February 25th.” Madam Speaker, this gentleman comes to the House and makes accusations and he is given the opportunity to see, to analyze, to discuss with the foreign consultants, to discuss with the local engineers, and he has refused to do so. I am extending the invitation once again if he is serious. I hate dealing with hypocrites. And I want you to stand as a man to show where we are doing any erroneous work in your area and I guarantee you that it will be addressed. I’ve told you this personally, I’ve told you this downstairs in the house of representative, I’ve told you in front of your colleagues and I am telling you again; if you have a genuine concern based on facts bring it to us and we will address it. You have the number of the engineers, I gave it to you. You know the number of where my office is. I think you have my number. I don’t share it with anyone, but I will share it with you. I think the Leader of the Opposition has it, right?”