Dear Sir,

Well, it was only a matter of time. I am joining the throngs of people who are talking about potholes.

Potholes which have emerged over time, then poorly repaired and with the recent unprecedented rains we’ve had, have now become a severe blight on all Bermuda’s roads from the east to the west end of the island.

Potholes which are causing crashes and wear and tear on vehicle mechanicals.

Potholes, which range in size from minor “blips” on your vehicle’s radar, to canyon-size chasms that become dangerous, submerged grenades — invisible and deceptive when the roads are wet.

It is obvious to everyone that the present state of our roads is atrocious, and roads form just one critical plank of our government-owned infrastructure. Public infrastructure can be defined as all essential systems and facilities that allow the smooth flow of an economy’s day-to-day activities and enhance the people’s standard of living. This includes, but is not limited to, the very basic, physical/hard facilities such as roads, bridges, waste and water facilities, hospitals, etc.

High-quality public infrastructure supports growth, improves wellbeing and generates jobs. Yet public infrastructure investment is complex, and getting from conception to construction and ultimately operation is a long road fraught with obstacles and pitfalls as we very well know. (See one such example later.)

I recently read a very informative 2016 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development — Getting Infrastructure Right — which concluded that all countries face infrastructure challenges and that poor governance is a significant reason why such projects often fail to meet their time frame, budget and service-delivery objectives.

Here are some of the report’s key recommendations for the governance of infrastructure:

• Establish a national long-term strategic vision that addresses infrastructure service needs

• Identify which investments should be undertaken, determine the essential components, needs and trade-offs, and how they should be prioritised. Weak or insufficient planning often impedes their successful implementation and operation later in the project cycle

• Manage threats to integrity. Corruption entry points should be mapped at each stage of the public infrastructure project, and integrity and anti-corruption mechanisms should be enhanced. A whole of government approach is essential to effectively address related integrity risks

• Choose how to deliver the infrastructure. Legitimacy, affordability and value for money should guide this balancing. Depending on risk allocation and the level of control exercised, governments can identify the most efficient delivery mode — from public works to private public partnerships — or a number of hybrid approaches

• Guard affordability and value for money. Overall value for money should be carefully assessed using a combination of quantitative — such as cost/benefit analysis — and qualitative tools that soberly seek to establish the overall societal return on investment

• Make sure the asset performs throughout its life. Ensure/mandate a reliable maintenance strategy to achieve the maximum life span of the asset

Regarding affordability and value for money, I bristle when I think of one particular infrastructure project way back in 2015 — the construction of the Black Watch Pass/North Shore roundabout.

To be clear, I use that roundabout almost every day and I know first hand that it is a monumental improvement to the traffic flow at that location. However, that project took 14 months to complete and cost the taxpayer close to $1 million owing to delays and costly redesigns, presumably because of poor planning.

Was that project affordable? Was it good value for money?

Some background: the idea for this government capital project began under a Progressive Labour Party government in 2010 with its initial consultation/design work and it was eventually acted upon and completed by the subsequent One Bermuda Alliance government in 2015. On November 12, 2014, Pembroke Central MP Walton Brown said: “The Progressive Labour Party is pleased to see that the OBA is continuing an initiative begun under our government in the establishment of a roundabout at the Black Watch Pass and North Shore Road junction.”

Does our government have a long-term infrastructure plan which encompasses at least some of those key recommendations in the OECD report?

When any government embarks on these critical infrastructure projects — which always involve our taxpayer dollars — what consultation, cost analysis and planning has gone into the proposed initiative? Was there a maintenance schedule contemplated, and has it been adhered to? If not, why not?

According to the Minister of Public Works, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, Bermuda is facing a mammoth task of replacing/repairing old public infrastructure, including road repaving ($100 million), temporary and ageing bridges ($100 million), the Tynes Bay Waste facility ($150 million), and many public buildings.

On a positive note, the people should give huge thanks to Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, which is going to lease and transform one of our dilapidated public buildings. It is the former parks department headquarters on the grounds of the Botanical Gardens, which will be renovated at no cost to the taxpayer. Built in the late 1800s, the building was originally the home of the Director of the Department of Agriculture and is located at the heart of the gardens and within walking distance of Masterworks. This will be repurposed to house an art and design centre, which will integrate modern facilities to create artist studios, fine arts classrooms, an arts technology and media room, and an inspiring space for artistic expression. What an invaluable gift this is. Masterworks has been given a 21-year lease — less a day — for its project and I would hope that the cost of that lease is no more than one peppercorn annually.

Then there is the lady who is admirably cleaning her public street every week — hoeing, raking, sweeping and collecting/disposing of up to 25 trash cans worth of leaves per month and has done so for almost a year. Why? As a result of lack of roadside maintenance and poor drainage in the area, the leaves and debris collecting on the road would end up at her front door after a storm if they are not removed regularly. Also, the accumulating roadside vegetation is hazardous to the motoring public.

Some may call this a community service, but when she is already paying taxes for road cleaning and maintenance, one can see how she might disagree. I wonder what her thoughts are on the Government's plan to borrow $130 million for the new Morgan’s Point residential village?

The Premier will deliver the 2024-2025 budget tomorrow. In his recent Pre-Budget Statement, he promised financial support for the wellbeing of Bermudians, to safeguard the vulnerable, enhance our infrastructure and uphold the commitment to achieving a balanced Budget. I will add those promises to the unfulfilled ones of 2017.

We Bermudians certainly are a patient lot.

In conclusion, when a society’s foundation is crumbling — be it physical, social or financial — the overall challenges can rise insurmountably unless there is deliberate action on the part of any elected government to have the humility to recognise its own failures and the political will to change course.

BEVERLEY CONNELL

Pembroke