MP accused of playing politics with road project

SPALDINGS, Clarendon:

RESIDENTS OF Portland Cottage, Rocky Point and Lionel Town in Clarendon have accused Member of Parliament (MP) for South East Clarendon, Basil Burrell, of playing politics with a road project in that constituency.

They told The Gleaner on a visit to the area Tuesday afternoon that efforts made by Councillor for the Rocky Point division, Winston Maragh, to share the available work have been ignored.

They also claim to have been shunned at a meeting in the constituency following protest actions by taxi operators and residents on Monday against the distribution of the work, and they link it to their being supporters of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

When The Gleaner contacted Mr. Maragh for comments on the accusations he said he put forward a suggestion that the work should be split 60-40 for PNP and JLP supporters respectively.

However, the suggestion was rejected by the MP whom he said told him that a liaison officer was appointed to carry out the selection of workers for the road work.

But the Councillor said the liaison officer has appointed PNP supporters only.

The road work which is divided into two phases started on Tuesday June 12, with the clearing of the side of the roadway.

Phase one is expected to cost $16.9 million and will see drains cleared and the road surface ripped and re-surfaced. Phase two is expected to cost $22 million.

"Since 1996 there have been thirteen demonstrations regarding the poor state of the road to Rocky Point by residents and in particular taxi operators", said Mr. Maragh.

Efforts to contact the MP for comment proved futile.

Meanwhile, a release from the National Works Agency Wednesday said according to an agreement reached, the work will be distributed by contractor HDB Construction, on a "rotation basis as the the need for manual labour arises throughout the life of the project."

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