With little to no infrastructure and a lack of community essentials, residents of the small community of Hike are crying foul for the poor work done to fix the deteriorating roadway. Residents say it is years since the road has been in disrepair and fixing a section of it just will not do. - Tamara Bailey

Tamara Bailey, Star writer

Hike, Manchester:

It can almost be said that the name of the community, Hike, lends some significance to how the residents travel in and out of the area. With stony tracks and poorly managed roadways in some parts, it proves to be quite a burdensome walk, especially for those carrying loads.

A fairly small district located in the deep rural confines of Manchester, the varying social classes that exist have as their main wish better roadways for the community.

For many living outside of the community, it may be considered 'bush', with no need for infrastructure, but for the residents, it's their haven, their home, their place of solitude, the area that has helped to mould their lives and the place that will further develop its people after its own development.

"For years, I have lived here, and for years, the place has been like this. we want to see some kind of improvement," said one resident.

The residents, who after much talk about the deteriorating roadways, are livid as one of the largest stretches of bad road was partially fixed, leaving the other sections untouched.

"I don't understand this at all. Dem fix piece an' di road an' leave out piece. Den u waa see di likle piece!" exclaimed a resident who wishes to remain anonymous.

Because of the poor roadways, residents like Nicholas Williams are becoming worried. "I know for a fact that some people want to build their house in here but are afraid because of the bad roads," he said. "About 100 metres of one stretch alone is yet to be fixed, and this where the job stop."

The hearts of the community members are in the right place, but like the old adage 'heart willing but pocket weak', the residents want to see great things happening and wish for the support internally and externally.

"We would love to have a football field and a homework centre, but before all of that, we want proper roads so we can gradually uplift the movement. we have light and we don't really have a problem with water, but the roads are in need of repair," said Nadine Wright.

Almost like a family structure, the small community, which has agriculture as its main source of income, operates with much unity and it is continually hoped that growth may be realised in this area with much potential.