exceptionally high standard, Minister of Works and Engineering the Hon.

Leonard Gibbons said yesterday.

Mr. Gibbons, presenting his Ministry's Budget in the House of Assembly, said roads will be made more safe for people on bicycles and "we are asking landowners to give land for sidewalks''.

"I would like to see the day when we see a sidewalk on at least one side of every road,'' he declared.

Mr. Gibbons also said that the Ministry had redefined the tendering service allowing more local businesses to bid on work.

"We are working on the quality initiative, how to enhance value for money. We want to do the right thing, do the right thing right, and do the right thing right the first time.'' He also congratulated Waste Management staff, saying: "The Tynes Bay incinerator is probably the most complex project ever to take place in Bermuda.

"It demonstrates how a modern small community can deal with waste. I want to commend all those involved.'' Mr. Gibbons also said that with the increasing demand for the incinerator additional mechanical work was anticipated.

"We are continuing our highway resurfacing project, which is a major part of the budget this year. The East End is well-served and is now being paved by a private contractor.'' And Mr. Gibbons also said that discussions have been held with all utility companies as overhead wires are being placed underground.

"The Ministry will make sure that newly surfaced roads will be left undisturbed for no less than five years and if utility companies decide to lay cable in those roads in less than that time they will be responsible for replacing the asphalt.'' He also said Bermuda's railway trails were a great asset to the Island.

"They make wonderful trails for that early morning walk or jog. They must be maintained.

"The programme of bus stops must continue and I congratulate the Paget Lions Club and the constituency for taking three weekends to build the bus shelter on Middle Road in Devonshire.'' Mr. Gibbons also discussed the fact that five new wells service the St.

George's cruise ship dock. And Watlington Waterworks has stated that they would like to continue to work with the Government.

"With the new secondary school project there will be a completely renovated and upgraded water supply,'' he said.

Shadow Minister of Works and Engineering Mr. Walter Roberts (PLP) said he appreciated the information given by Mr. Gibbons but said: "If the PLP were running the department, we would concentrate our efforts on the schools and their general maintenance.

"Schools have been vandalised. Some schools are open to anyone and others are locked and are less likely to vandalise.'' Mr. Roberts added that if Government is giving students first class schools it must also protect them.

"The community should use schools as much as possible.'' Mr. Roberts also stated that the PLP would also encourage the acquisition of land on the road for sidewalks.

"We would concentrate on more adequate sidewalks being built especially in built-up areas.'' And on the lack of visibility of the line in the middle of the roads Mr.

Roberts said that in many parts of the world the line in the middle of main roads is fluorescent "but in Bermuda on rainy nights, driving along South Shore Road in Warwick, it is difficult to travel by the centre of the line.

The PLP would also focus on making sure that sidewalks were adequately lit.'' He also sited the importance of landowners trimming their hedges along the road. And for those that don't "there must be a policy to encourage people and a penalty if they don't''.

Turning to the building of the new school, Mr. Roberts said it was becoming "less attractive to build'' on the Island.

"Bermuda is going through some hard times and this will not help the situation,'' he said.

Mr. Roberts also claimed that the cost of waste disposal had doubled despite the Tynes Bay incinerator.

"The price of labour is more. When will we start making money from the incinerator,'' he asked. "We no longer recycle newspaper.'' Mr. Roberts also wanted to know what programmes were put in place to remove asbestos from buildings.

"I'd like to know how many buildings still have asbestos in them that would be dangerous to occupants.'' He also told Mr. Gibbons that the amount of funds set aside for maintenance of the Base would not be adequate to take care of the existing facilities.

"On Daniels Head we need to build a facility that will enable us to earn revenue,'' he added.

Ministry of Works & Engineering 1995/96 estimates Ministry responsibility: "To manage all public lands, works, water supply, sewarage, buildings and highways and to provide a refuse collection and disposal service.

Budget estimate:$45,367,000 (last year $41,105,000) Budget allocation Administration ..................$3,084,000 Estates management $17,654,000 Highways, bridges, docks etc. $7,657,000 Solid wastes $11,459,000 St. George's golf course ..............................$1,214,000 Port Royal golf course ................................$2,503,000 Ocean View golf course $1,075,000 West End Development Corp $717,000