Government has allowed public facilities to fall into a state of disrepair, according to Southampton West MP Charlie Swan.Mr Swan noted the deteriorating state of west end sites Gibbs Hill Lighthouse and the Rockaway Ferry stop, which he said have been largely ignored by Government.“That this Country finds itself well over $1 billion in debt and still faced with crumbling or wasted infrastructure is deplorable,” Mr Swan said.“The Government touts its ‘investment in infrastructure’, and there is nothing wrong with investing in infrastructure, but it should not be for its own sake, so you can say you’ve invested in infrastructure.“The end desire must be for the benefit of Bermuda and Bermudians now and in the future.”Mr Swan, who was elected under the UBP banner, said the Rockaway Ferry stop is showing wear and tear just a decade after it was completed.Since its opening, Mr Swan said the condition of the stop has deteriorated, with a boarding ramp now inoperable, unstable railings and loose light fixtures.Service to the stop has also fallen, with the 7.55am ferry to Hamilton being cut earlier this month with no advance notification. The route was dropped earlier in the year, but later reinstated following protests.“Ten years after being opened, we should be celebrating the success of the stop and the service,” Mr Swan said.Private construction firm Crisson Construction carried out repair work at the Evans Bay dock last year at its own expense; Mr Swan said more work must be done to improve the infrastructure.“There are safety issues involved,” he said. “Bermudians, adults and children, fish, swim, hang out and dock at this facility. Why is the Government ignoring this parish and these constituencies?”Transport Minister Walter Roban held a press conference yesterday where he said the ramp at Rockaway is now operational.The ferry stop was designed to function with or without the ramp, he said.“It is important to mention that Rockaway Ferry stop also has side loading capabilities purposely built for occasions when the ramp is not available. This arrangement is similar to other docks that don’t have a ramp system and are used on a daily basis.”Meanwhile, a Government spokesman said the lighthouse has been added to a list of major building upgrades to be carried out by the Ministry.“The required works at the lighthouse are being costed and will urgently put out to tender,” he stated.Mr Swan had earlier criticised the beacon’s condition questioning what a visitor would think.“Would they wish to visit it, climb the stairs or, even if they braved that, go out onto the balcony? Would anyone question the safety of the structure? Would Bermudians showing visiting friends or family want to take them up?“The lighthouse is a signature attraction. It’s also a landmark and provides guidance to mariners.”Former hotelier WA Toppy Cowen raised the state of the lighthouse earlier this year, questioning why it had been allowed to degrade to a “rusty monument”.Mr Swan said that Ministers dictating government expenditure rather than civil servants, have contributed to the problem.“Ministers have had a much more hands-on relationship with their respective ministries, in many cases usurping the roles of the Civil Service staff,” Mr Swan said. “Civil servants should operate independent of ministerial influence.“Ministers would appear to only care about burnishing their resume and help as many of their friends and ‘family’ as possible. And get re-elected.”