“The PLP Government has hired another overseas consultant to help coordinate road safety,” Opposition Leader Ben Smith said.
Mr Smith said, “How can a consultant—whose company failed to deliver education reform while collecting an $8.4million paycheque—be hired again for road safety?
“Major elements of the education reform were subsequently paused, and the public still deserves a full accounting of what was delivered.
“Bermuda already has a Road Safety Council, a five-year strategy, the Police Service, the Transport Control Department and other agencies responsible for road safety.
“Our Shadow Minister of National Security, Jarion Richardson, has also introduced legislation proposing stronger penalties and enforcement powers. That legislation deserves to be debated on its merits.
“The question is no longer whether Bermuda has enough plans, agencies or proposals. Instead, we need to know why existing efforts have not delivered the results our community desperately needs.
“If this consultancy will make a measurable difference, the Government should explain what it will deliver that existing agencies could not, why Third Story was selected and how success will be measured.
“The Government must also account for the results of its previous $8.4 million engagement with the same company.
“Road safety requires leadership, enforcement, effective legislation and accountability. Consultants cannot substitute for those responsibilities.
“Our roads are a national emergency. The Government must now publish its immediate actions, implementation deadlines and measurable safety targets.
“Bermuda needs results, not another explanation of how the PLP government needs more advice before they can execute anything.”