Works Minister: I Don’t Think It’s Fair to Speak on Who’s to Blame

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS –

Clay Sweeting – Minister, Works And Family Island Affairs

“I don’t think it’s fair to me, to them, or to anyone who has a child to try to tailor this tragedy to speak on who’s to blame or what’s to blame. Because the reality is nobody who’s lost someone cares about how it happened. They’re concerned that the one they love isn’t there anymore.”

That’s Works Minister Clay Sweeting addressing public speculation linking the deadly car crash that claimed the lives of four teens early Sunday morning to road conditions on Shirley Street.

Sweeting defended the Ministry of Works while answering questions about whether the condition of Shirley Street may have contributed to the fatal crash, which claimed the lives of four teenage girls.

He says his focus remains on the families who are grieving, not on speculation about who or what was to blame.

At the same time, he says Shirley Street had already been identified for roadwork before the weekend’s tragedy.

Clay Sweeting – Minister, Works And Family Island Affairs

“For the past two years, the Ministry of Works has been very active in paving across New Providence. The reality is we have over 1,000 miles of road in New Providence, and I’m sure you’ve seen that we have been very aggressive in that regard.”

The minister also acknowledged there is still more work to be done, but insists the government is preparing to introduce a new system that will allow crews to repair far more potholes each day.

Clay Sweeting – Minister, Works And Family Island Affairs

“Within the next six months, you’ll see a new way of road patching that will allow us to patch 100 potholes within a day instead of the five to 10 we’re currently doing.”

With road crews continuing their work across the island, Sweeting is also urging motorists to do their part by driving with extra care.

Clay Sweeting – Minister, Works And Family Island Affairs

“I do caution persons to slow down a bit. We wouldn’t want another situation where we have families mourning over these types of situations.”

Works Minister Clay Sweeting was also questioned about lighting along highways. He says that responsibility does not fall under his ministry.