Dear Editor,

I refer to the letter by Mr Daniel Fraser, Regional Information Officer of Region 8 captioned “This road has existed for decades” (07.10.10). I accept Mr Fraser’s response that the Mahdia-Salbora road was in existence since pre independence. I also offer my apologies for faulting the regional administration.

The rationale behind my letter was not mainly to fault anyone over the damage of the water network but rather to highlight that infrastructural development in mining areas needs to take into consideration that the land is used mainly for mining.

As such there needs to be careful planning of infrastructural work, such as water networks, telephone lines etc so that it doesn’t impede with areas that may be beneficial to mining.

The regional administration (of any area where there is mining activities) needs to work in tandem with the agencies such as GGMC to ensure that there is information regarding the subsurface resources of any area before development works are undertaken. GGMC has the professional capability, in the form of mining engineers, geologists, surveyors etc to assist the regional administration in deciding on development plans that will be beneficial to both the communities and the mining activities.

Now that GGMC has agreed compensation for the damage to the water system, it is sincerely hoped that more consideration will be given to realigning the network in such a way that it doesn’t impede possible mining activities in the future.

The regional administration and the governing agency, GGMC, have a responsibility to ensure that the new water network is redesigned in such a way that it is beneficial to both the miners and the community.

Let the Mahdia-Salbora Road fiasco serve as the impetus for a more professional collaboration between the regional administration and the government agencies such as GGMC so that proper infrastructural development can be undertaken in mining communities.

Yours faithfully,

E Fredericks