I wish to highlight and bring to the attention of the various stakeholders two concerns in the hope that there would be some form of pro-active response. These two are the upending of containers and the toppling of trees.
All public parks should be under the watch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Huge trees should be monitored regularly for dry branches and rotting boles. A tree infested with epiphytes is a danger in the waiting, especially during a downpour.
Trees deemed unsafe should be cut down. Human safety supersedes environmental concerns. I do not believe I have to remind the reading public of the catastrophe that befell a family recently. May their belief help in easing the pain of that tragic event.
Trees intended for roadside and median planting must have certain qualities. Some of those qualities are slow growth, tolerant to drought, no conflict with utilities, slender trunks and small crowns.
Another matter, the tilting over of containers, is happening too frequently. As a matter of fact this should not occur at all. I can attest to the speed of some of these vehicles since I was overtaken on the highway while I was doing 90 km/h. Is it any wonder that those containers would topple if braking is needed suddenly and especially on a bend? Gasparillo is a good example. Think about the chaos that would cause. I get the feeling that these drivers are being paid by the number of trips so for them it’s “get there as fast as possible.”
Apart from careful driving, I noticed another solution. A truck was carrying a similar size container to Galeota but the container was strapped to the trailer with three pieces of cable. Maybe there is a lesson here for those trucking companies and the Ministry of Transport.
I believe vigilance is always needed but more so with the approaching yuletide season. The ball is in the court of the relevant people.
Sahadeo Ragoonanan
Indian Walk, Princes Town