By Noel Thompson,
Freelance Writer
Residents of the Cornwall Court housing scheme protest outside NHT's MoBay office.
WESTERN BUREAU:
SEVERAL EMPLOYEES at the National Housing Trust's Montego Bay office were prevented from entering the premises when they turned up for work yesterday, as over 50 occupants of the one bedroom studios in the Cornwall Court Housing Scheme staged a demonstration in front the building.
The residents were protesting against the frequent flooding of their homes when it rains heavily, the worst of which was last Friday when several items of electrical appliances and furniture were also damaged.
From as early as 7:30 a.m., the residents picketed the entrance of the building, forcing staff to seek alternative parking. Pleas from compliance inspectors, Alwin Hanes and Donovan Evans, to the protesters to cease their action and have the matter discussed inside, were ignored.
President of the Cornwall Courts Citizens Association, Vallin Green, said the NHT needed to address the problem of flooding urgently. "It has been five times since we have experienced flooding and we want them to come this time with a technical team to assess the damage and to put proper measures in place to prevent any recurrence. We are also anticipating compensation for the damage done to some people's household items and the possible relocation of others," said Mr. Green.
According to the residents, the flooding is caused by two gullies which lead from the Salt Spring area, one of which seemed to have been dammed during the construction of the scheme. Among other shortcomings which plague the community are the lack of adequate street lights, telephones, inadequate water supply, stray animals plaguing the streets and a general attitude by the NHT to shun the residents queries and concerns, the citizens said.
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