PHILIPSBURG:---Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher symbolically "broke ground" on the Backstreet project on Saturday, April 22. She also received an update on the project from Claudius Buncamper of the department of VROMI. The Minister was also joined by Director of Windward Roads Jan-Hendrik Boekaar.
The Backstreet project is a joint project between the Ministries of TEATT (Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication) and VROMI and is being financed by the TEATT Ministry. The project is being executed by main contractor Windward Roads.
The bricks in the road will be removed and the road will be paved. Buncamper explained that the road will remain open for pedestrians at all times and to emergency vehicles. VROMI has also made it possible for residents and businesses to connect sewage lines at their own expense while the project is ongoing.
The drainage on the road will also be regulated to eliminated water accumulation in pockets. Barring any setbacks, this phase of the project should be completed in May. Minister Arrindell-Doncher noted that the project is not just important for business activity and residents, but it provides work for young men in the community.
"I am from the Philipsburg area and it was good to see some of the young men I know working on this project. It's important that they are afforded the opportunity to participate in general interest projects, in particular those in districts they reside," the Minister said.
