If you drive along many of the nation’s highways and byways and you notice that they are looking esthetically pleasing to the eyes, it’s not a fluke, it’s hard work.

What you see are the results of months upon months of hard work and leadership by the management and staff of the National Solid Waste Management Authority, who have been working tirelessly to beautify the island, even long before there was an announcement of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting here in Antigua and Barbuda.

Under the astute leadership of Mrs Indira James Henry, the beautification team, have tackled all four corridors, from All Saints Road all the way out to English Harbour, Factory Road up to Willikies, Perry Bay Road to Five Islands and Royalton as well as Valley Church Road to as far south as Old Road.

Work has also been done from Fort Road through to McKinnon’s, Marble Hill Road, Cedar Grove, and Hodges Bay all the way up to AUA.

And if you want further proof, just look at the maintenance of both sides of that masterclass concrete road that runs from the AUA and Jabberwock junction, through Judges and down into Cedar Grove.

However, it is the V.C. Bird International Airport, in particular the perimeter fence and its environs that has truly captured the essence of hard work from the men and women of the beautification team. From Sprugoos Service Station (Ace Enterprise) all the way up to Runway Ten at Shell Beach, the cleanliness not only can be seen but it can also be felt as workers are busy cutting, trimming and raking grass, trees and leaves on both sides of the highway.

But that’s not all. There has also been the removal of dozens of abandoned and derelict vehicles from all corners of the island, most recently in the Villa, Yorks, and Fort Road areas, as well as Crabb Hill, Johnson Pointe, Urlings and Old Road.

Attention, too, has been given to the gutters in and around the city of St Johns, and the weekly garbage collection schedule has been moving along quite smoothly.

All and in all, one can say that the work been done by the NSWMA is very befitting of a King.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: LETTER: Solid as a Rock.