June 18, 2019

Over the years, since Duvalier left in 1986, protesters have utilized burning tires to block roads.

We have overlooked the short, medium and long-term damage to the Nation’s infrastructure, created by this weapon of protest.

Tires burn with a very high temperature factor, spread over a long period of time, until the tires are consumed.

Heat and smoke go up.

However, the real damage is caused by the downward absorbtion of the tremendous heat, from the burning tires, that effectively burns the material used un road construction. This is melted and vaporized, leaving weak spots, and holes in our roads/highways/parking lots.

Over time, these holes erode through the force of water/rain, creating individual disasters that eventually join together, creating impassable thoroughfares.

The protests/demonstrations may end, but their long-term results – in the form of burned tire damage – will accelerate over the months to come.

Delmas is becoming impassable, with Delmas 60   a good example. Main road in Museau also at point of no return.

It is difficult to put a cash value on the destruction caused by one burning tire. However, cumulatively, over time, these elements of our manifestations cost millions, upon millions to repair damage done.

In reality, we will not have the cash available to repair the damage and Haiti will slide backwards, as our roads deteriorate, creating damage to our vehicles and transportation infrastructure.

We have a tendency to destroy what we have, hoping that someone will replace it in the future.

This philosophy must end.

Otherwise we will continue to take one step forward, and two steps back.