“I did set up an area to dump derelict cars” – Fmr. Min. David Patterson
In a clear slap in the face of the Peoples National Congress Reform’s attempt to name and shame Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, information has now surfaced that the plot of land where vehicles are being stored on the Soesdyke Linden Highway began under the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity Government.
This was confirmed by Former Minister of Public Infrastructure within the APNU Government David Patterson when contacted by BIG Smith News Watch on Tuesday evening.
“Under my ministry, we had put a plot of land somewhere there. There was a dumpsite, I had built a road and those things like that because of course we had a lot of derelict vehicles. I did set up an area to dump derelict vehicles” David Patterson told BIG Smith News Watch.
The former Government Minister under the APNU stated that the move was necessary to clear up the city of derelict vehicles which had become an eyesore in the city.
Two public tenders were issued under the PNC-led APNU Government for the construction of a road and premier fence for the area respectively.
“Through Walter Willis, we would have gone into the Land and Surveys Commission, this was one of the first initiatives when we were cleaning up the city in 2015, we realized that there were a lot of derelict cars and vehicles around the city and then we said fair enough, the Ministry through Walter Willis would have applied for a piece of land and that was the land that was given” David Patter explained.
Patterson said that a compacter was also bought and placed at the site to compact the vehicles as there were plans to have those vehicles used to assist in shoring up sea defenses.
Asked if the PNC sought any information from him on the plot of land before issuing its statement, Patterson said he was not contacted and he like everyone else, saw the statement when it was issued. Many in the Peoples National Congress Reform and even the APNU Coalition are on record accusing PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton of unilaterally making decisions and speaking on issues without consulting colleagues or familiarizing himself with the facts.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill spoke on the issue.
“In Laluni, there is a derelict dumpsite that is owned by the Ministry of Public Works. Whenever we pick up derelict vehicles that is where we take them. It predates my arrival at the Ministry of Public Roads” Minister Juan Edghill told BIG Smith News Watch.
