Damion Mitchell, Assistant News Editor

Henry

Today, The Gleaner presents part four in our series of stories on developments in the transport portfolio.

The Government is now pursuing a new model to improve rural roads, according to Transport Minister Mike Henry.

The model, called Pave-Zyme is to be tested on farm roads and could ease years of woes, especially for people transporting agricultural produce to the markets.

Henry said Pave-Zyme was more cost-effective and longer-lasting than current methods. "It has been tested and proven very successful and I am trying to bring in another batch to test it," Henry told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre.

Sprayed on

He said Pave-Zyme could be sprayed on the roads and by constant use would improve the quality of the surface. At the same time, the transport ministry is considering expanding the micro surfacing technique, which demands that potholes be sealed when they are patched to prevent other breakaways.

Successive governments have battled with very hefty bills to repair the island's roadways as the confusion continued over the agencies responsible for repairing some roads.

But Henry reported that plans were continuing for the proposed single national road authority. The National Works Agency is responsible for major roads whereas the respective parish councils are responsible for all other roads.

In the meantime, Henry said new measures were coming to improve the level of discipline and order in the public transport system.

He did not give a timeline, but said he was working on a plan to colour-code taxis, expand the permit-parking system and reform the licensing system for taxis.

"The taxi operators have to recognise what we are speaking to when we give a taxi licence," he said, noting that he was considering a model to offer benefits for taxi operators who drive their own vehicles since they are usually more careful.

Henry warned that focus would also be placed on indisciplined bus drivers. The transport minister said there was consideration to put in place a system to remove them from the roads. He said while this was not the primary objective of the reformation of the transport system, revoking licenses will be considered as a last resort.

About Pave-Zyme

Pave-Zyme is a unique natural enzyme product, developed from organic plant material and is a superior asset in bonding and compacting soil

It stabilises soils in the construction of roads, airstrips, etc

Offers a convenient and low-cost method for improving soil workability.

Contains properties which binds dust particles to maintain a longer dust-free environment

- Source: www.omegapavingemg.com