Street Sweepers

They’re sweeping the streets! They’re sweeping the streets!

The newly built roads on Weno might actually have a chance to survive. For the last couple of years, the state has been trying to rebuild the embarrassingly horrible road system on the main island of Weno. The majority of the roads are muddy pits of sludge and slime that streak through the island. Apparently, the roads were nice at one point way back when, but due to poor plan and lack of maintenance they have slipped into disarray.

I have been greatly disappointed with the construction of the new roads because within a period of only a few months they had become caked in dirt. I saw in my minds eye the progression of how this centimeter of mud would eventually build into a foot and the roads would slip back into their state of deformity. The drainage/sewage system is still incomplete and the brand new roads still flood when it rains.

My pessimism was turned upside down last week when I saw street sweepers. The street sweeping was exactly what I imagined it would look like. Men, women and children were walking down the center of the road and brushing away the dirt and grime with palm frond brooms. It might not have the same effect as a high powered street sweeper truck, but it still gets the job done.

With no roads, the economy of Chuuk will never advance. This essential step must be undertaken with care to ensure the future success of the state. I am happy beyond belief to see that they finally got the sense together to clean and maintain the roads. Good work!