By Roy Sanford, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
NORTH GULLY, one of the two major drainage systems in Montego Bay, is poised to get a major facelift courtesy of a $180 million project initiated by the National Works Agency (NWA).
"Section of the gully had failed so we are going to strengthen these sections," said Stephen Shaw, the NWA's Public Relations Office. "We are going to strengthen some sections and reinstate others."
According to Shaw, the project, which will be undertaken by the Kingston-based company M and M, will see work being done in the Green Pond, Rose Mount and the King Street Fording. No timetable has been given for the completion of the project, which is expected to begin next week. The North Gully has been a source of great concern to the authorities as its poor maintenance is said to be the primary cause of frequent flooding in the city. During the December rains debris, garbage and mud from the gully washed up on the premises of the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court forcing lawyers and judges to find alternative parking. The gully is also being seen as an 'eyesore' to the city as a consequence of residents dumping garbage in it. During the December rains, garbage from the gully all but created an environmental disaster as it completely littered the Montego Bay Marine Park.
Dr. Ucal Thompson, the Councillor for the North Gully division, has expressed delight at the implementation of the project, describing it as 'long awaited.' He added that the gully would finally be seen in a 'presentable manner.' "We have long awaited this project," Dr. Thompson told The Gleaner. "We at the Parish Council (St. James) have lobbied and struggled to keep the North Gully in a presentable manner and we are happy to see it being done."
The last major project planned for the North Gully was back in September 2001 when the Jamaica Social Investment Fund signed a $11.4 million contract to construct a concrete wall along sections of the gully. Construction was completed in February. Dr. Thompson said that the people in his division are happy that work was being done on the gully. "The people are quite happy," he remarked. "It is certainly going to be an improvement for them."
President of the North Gully Citizens' Association Andrew Anglin said that although he has not been informed of the project, it is going to be a good thing for the people of the community. "It is going to be great," Anglin told The Gleaner. "During last year's flood rains a whole section of the gully was washed out and this has been creating problems for the people in the area, so this is going to help a lot."
