Preconco employees show solidarity with boss Mark Maloney

APPROXIMATELY 100 employees from PRECONCO Ltd. came together yesterday morning, in a show of solidarity for their group Managing Director, Mark Maloney, whom they say is being victimised, following recent actions taken by the Town and Country Planning Department Office.

During a media briefing held on the compound of the company’s Lears headquarters, Assistant Financial Controller, Kirk Smith, said that the destruction of the hut at Lears roundabout was carried out without thought of the associated job loss for those who carry out maintenance. Furthermore, he assured that PRECONCO will no longer be maintaining the roundabout, which he says will now be an expense to the Crown.

He said that the roundabout, which was added back in 2008, saw a vast reduction in the fatal or near accidents at the then junction. It also was beautified by the company and was used to market the product offerings of the group.

Henderson Brathwaite, who carried out maintenance on the roundabout for the last eight years, mostly on weekends, said he could not agree that the hut affected visibility.

“I don’t see that possible, because I worked there and never had an accident there. Just a little bumper thing... that is nothing, but why remove it? It was beautiful. I don’t see the reason why the government had an issue with Mr. Maloney. I never had an issue with him. I don’t see why they had to take it down.

“If they can take that down, why cant they take down Mr. Bussa. He blocking the road,” charged Brathwaite, as he referred to the Emancipation statue.

As it relates to Rock Hard Cement Ltd. on Spring Garden Highway, Smith said this company led to significant drop in cement prices, by as much as 20 per cent. “He has brought a company to the fore which is now allowing persons to purchase cement at a cheaper price, and also facilitate houses at a lower price, not only residences, but commercial projects as well.”

He said at the Villages at Coverley, promises were made to the residents to be a one-stop shop in a residential area. “We have 200 + homeowners. So what happens when there is no longer any permission given for us to continue at Coverley? They are telling us that nothing else is happening; the project has come to a standstill? That is not fair to them.

“Coverley is related to the gas station, which is open, and permission would have been given, but all of a sudden there is a certain condition which has to be met, and there were discussions with Mr. Maloney and the TCPDO and the agency responsible for the gas station to be open. But at this point, we have just been told no more permissions are being given, but no reason at this point in time,” he lamented. (JH)