Yesterday in the Prime Minister's press conference, you heard him speak about the multi-million dollar road infrastructure works that are on the way for the Caracol and the Coastal Roads. Well, there are residents in the Toledo District who are asking when will the Barrow Administration fix some of the bad roads in Southern Belize.
And right now, the Barranco Road is in a severe state of disrepair. It has caused hundreds of school children from San Jose, Dolores, Poite, Santa Teresa, Barranco, Midway, Santana and San Felipe to either miss classes, or they've gotten to school late. Today, a part of the road that's less than a mile away from the Toledo Community College caused one school bus driver to completely break down. The bus ended up stuck in a huge mudhole, and this morning, our colleagues from PGTV spoke with him about this hardship to do his job.
He said that his complaints have been falling on deaf ears at the Ministry of Education:
Ligorio Coy - School Bus Driver
"Right here, I am with the bus, along with the students middle of the road with this road condition."
Reporter
"How did this happen? How long has have you been utilizing this road on a daily basis?"
Ligorio Coy
"Yes, everyday, morning and evening I transport the students from here. But, I'm experiencing a lot of mechanical problems, and I try to communicate with Ministry of Education this morning, which is Mr. Lino. And he told me this morning - he really offended me with his word - he said he doesn't want to hear anything from me. The reality, I am speaking the truth. It's not because I don't want to run, and he told me earlier that let me get to the parents. I assume that he want - you know it's just my assumption - maybe he want me and the parents of the students full the road, but we can't do that manually."
Reporter
"So, have you guys made any complaints to ministry of works?"
Ligorio Coy
"Many times, many times. I think that young man is tired of seeing my face, so I don't want to go in his office anymore any."
Reporter
"So, this is what you're stuck with now. Your bus stuck middle."
Ligorio Coy
"The bus is stuck. The BDF tried to pull me out, but they still can't get me out. The students are in there. It's hot in there, but I couldn't do anything."
Reporter
"So, at this moment, who are you appealing to, in order for this situation to get addressed?"
Ligorio Coy
"I call the institution, which is TCC, to try and seek for some help for me to get this evening from here, and I am still waiting. I'm here about an hour already."
Reporter
"And TCC, is how far away from here?"
Ligorio Coy
"I would say about a mile."
Reporter
"And ministry of Works, also."
Ligorio Coy
"Yes, Ministry of Works is right there before TCC."
Reporter
"So, if this road doesn't fix, are you going to continue your bus runs through this side?"
Ligorio Coy
"Well, that's what I explained to Lino. He said that he doesn't hear me saying that because I told him I am willing - Well I have a reliable transportation, but if I continue to do this, after this, it will not be reliable. I told him that I want to travel on the highway because this road is very bad. This is what we will get everyday. It's not because I don't want to transport the students. I have a commitment. We have a contract with the Government, but we are trying our very best."
Reporter
"And to your knowledge, how long has this road been in this situation?"
Ligorio Coy
"It's about 3 months. It's getting worse and worse. I managed it for the couple 2 weeks ago, but I was seeing that it was getting too bad. So, I went and made a complaint, try to assist us. And this is not the only road. Where I come from Santa Ana, 14 miles driving, it takes me an hour and a half to drive on a 14-mile road. It is not far, but it is due to the road."
We were unable to get comment from the Ministry.
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