WORKS and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner yesterday went to the Siparia constituency of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and assured residents of Penal Rock Road the roads would be repaired.

Warner met with the residents around 3 p.m. and promised to dispatch a crew to begin work today.

His assurances were met with cautious optimism by residents who criticised Persad-Bissessar for failing to respond to their appeal.

Aaron Moyne, who spoke with Warner on behalf of the residents, said Warner "tried to listen to our requests and to meet with our demands".

Before Warner's arrival, villagers had blocked the 16-mile-long road at more than a dozen points as they intensified their protest yesterday.

School children were unable to attend schools.

Moyne said residents were not pleased with Persad-Bissessar's response on Monday afternoon when told of their protest.

Persad-Bissessar had said "the matter will be looked into and we will see what we can do".

More than 100 residents met that evening and addressed a letter to Persad-Bissessar, listing the issues affecting the community between Penal Junction to Basse Terre Junction.

"We need to be taken seriously," Moyne said.

He added: "We heard the Prime Minister state that she is not aware that she is in charge of nine miles (of Penal Rock Road), but in fact eight miles. The road is 16 miles long, with at least 20 branch roads, with approximately 12,000 to 15,000 residents.

"The residents were incensed by the dismissive attitude of our PM who is our representative. We have to send a clear signal that we don't want promises, we want concrete action. Not only superficial paving of the road. We want quality roads, improved drainage and other issues need to be addressed."

Among the issues raised in the letter to Persad-Bissessar were delays in response by fire, police and ambulance services as a result of bad roads, expensive repair of vehicles, and the risk of accidents when drivers swerve around the potholed roads.

Moyne said: "So far she has not responded to our letter, or phone calls."

Warner, however, said today an assessment will begin by the Works Ministry on the road and drainage conditions, as well as on "patch-work" to be undertaken on the areas in need of immediate attention.

Moyne said: "Warner said he is a man of his word and if he does not deliver he will come back and be accountable for what he has not delivered. Villagers have some level of comfort and remedy. But it does not mean that we will let down on our action to have our area uplifted."