Earlier this year, a new Highway Beautification Project was launched by the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) where several small businessmen have been diligently working to ensure the island’s highways are clean and free of overgrown bush and debris.
The project, which was rolled out on a pilot basis across rural and urban Barbados, aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cleaning and de-bushing the road network. This is being done by detailing specific tasks, responsibilities, and performance standards for all workers. In addition to cleaning and de-bushing roadsides, these entrepreneurs are required to undertake the clearing and maintenance of drains and culverts and must remove debris from roadways.
Under the initiative, teams are assigned to different parishes and must complete a minimum of 20 kilometres of de-bushing per month.
Beyond Bush Inc. is a six-year-old company owned by Kadeem Brewster who is very enthusiastic to be a part of the programme, and has a strong desire to better his community. “I like to see a place clean; and, working for MTW and NCC [National Conservation Commission], for the past four years, has given me the privilege to help cut and clean the community. And, I believe … I would do it to the best of my ability. It is a lot of hard work; this is not for the weak. But the goal is to make sure the community is happy.” he stated.
The young businessman says he influences them to carry out the set mandate. “MTW would give us a location and then we would execute the work to be done there. I would give my guys the motivation in terms of encouraging them to do a kilometre a day,” he shared. The entrepreneur, who disclosed that his team became versatile on the job and was able to use all available tools, such as the weed wacker, chain saw, cutlass and blower, stressed this is an important aspect to getting the work done efficiently.
Another small businessman who is a part of the programme is Akeem Maloney, of MW Innovation, who showered praise on the Highway Beautification Project, noting it must be recognised for allowing all age groups to participate. He said: “I like the whole concept of it because it gives the youth and people a chance to gain skills and have discipline. It teaches them to get here on time. Don’t think that just because we are out here cutting grass that it is not something that goes on in a workplace. You have to be disciplined and dedicated and build team work as well. That’s what I like about the project.”
Mario Williams, a supervisor working on the project for MW Innovation, explained that he motivates his team to achieve MTW’s mandate of completing 20 km of road, per month, by encouraging workers to, at least, complete a kilometre and a half per day. He also pointed out that his duty involves ensuring the team prevents accidents while on the highways, as safety of employees and others traversing the road was paramount. The pilot project, which will be ongoing for about five months, is expected to see other persons afforded an avenue for employment with the Ministry. Among these will be individuals formerly engaged by MTW on the National Beautification Programme, who successfully completed the landscaping training and established businesses under the Construction Gateway Programme; persons who benefitted from the Barbados Trust Loan Fund and established and registered a landscaping business, as well as participants in the Project Dawn Programme who have registered an entity engaged in landscaping or maintenance.
