THE EDITOR, Sir:
Future generations will have missed the adventures and indeed the travails of those of us who went before, travelling through Old Harbour, St. Catherine, and Free Town, Clarendon from west to east and east to west.
For those of us having the privilege of experiencing the before and the after "Old Harbour bypass"' this is time for reflection. The change/ transformation is so marked.
I passed over the bypass alone on Thursday, December 19, 2001 from Bushy Park through to Sandy Bay in brilliant sunshine in wonderment and awe. I soliloquised as I drove along the 14.5 kilometres highway and caught myself saying repeatedly - marvellous - marvellous - marvellous. My thoughts were then on the breathtaking countryside I was passing through. How beautiful was my country I have been passing through for no less than 26 years, not knowing the panoramic landscape just over there and all around. This is beauty par excellence to fill oneself with a sense of pride and belonging.
I returned on Saturday, December 21 in slight overcast conditions from Sandy Bay to Bushy Park, determined this time to keep my eyes and my mind on the road itself, instead of the landscape. What can I say! Politics aside, "hats off" to all those involved in this great work - genius designers, engineers, builders and the high ideals of the project conceptualizers. He/she/they must hold the Jamaican people on a pedestal - very high esteem.
In current parlance, we should "big them up" as they have by their work shown that they see the Jamaican people as forward and upward moving, with a worthy destiny. Would to God we live to be worthy of their dream.
Yes, I am moved with pride, and proudly express my appreciation to all those involved - not least of all, the former Minister of Transport and Works, Dr. Peter Phillips, and Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, without whose conviction, determination and focus, this could not have happened. Whoever awarded low performance marks to those, need to do some re-thinking.
I am etc.,
WILFRED A. DRUMMOND
27 East Great House Circle
Kingston 19
