"Why would this opinion piece use only these ideas to represent FN thinking?"
Not Only but just one of many, which is seen as typical of the problems. We do not blame but point out the lack of foresight.

You give another example with fuel oil.

No Scarborough would not tolerate it at all and the source of the problem would have been found within weeks or months, not years. Nor would so large a spill occur because the problem would have been discovered way earlier.

“Nobody knew what the problem was.”
How could they not have known? Oil or it's components do not materialize out of no-where.

OK, I agree that there are many problems, some very serious indeed.

BUT a road would make life easier and if a spill occured, with road existing then experts who could identify the problem would be easier to aquire and solve in a more timely manner.

For me I ask the perplexing question - With the development of the Ring, why would people not turn on the after-burners to get things going?