Repairs coming for flood-damaged roads
PORT MARIA:
A NUMBER of roads which were damaged during flood rains in St. Mary three years ago are to be repaired. Among the roads are Fraserwood to Hopewell, as well as Fraserwood to Marlborough and Africa.
A contract for repairs to the roads was signed last week during a ceremony at the Orange River agricultural station in the parish.
Farmers who work closely with the Eastern Jamaica Agricultural Support Programme saw the repairs as priority and approached the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for assistance. Data provided by the Rural Agricultural Development Agency indicate that agricultural production could be increased by 30 per cent after the repairs have been completed. Benefits will also extend to the wider community in terms of freedom of movement and cheaper transportation cost.
Response to the request by the JSIF resulted in the signing of two contracts, valued at more than $16 million. Seematt Construction Company received an $8.9 million contract to repair 2.65 kilometres from Fraserwood to Marlborough. A separate contract, valued at $8.4 million, was signed by Development Holdings to repair 2.25 kilometres of road from Fraserwood to Hopewell. Work will include resurfacing, surfacing and construction of drainage structures. The Jamaica Agricultural Society will contribute five per cent in cash or kind to the project.
The JSIF's internal auditor, Donna Burnett, said funding was provided for rehabilitation of roads which served rural farming communities.
Councillors argue over police post
BLACK RIVER:
A VERBAL exchange between two councillors as to whether a police post should be established at Junction or Southfield in southeast St. Elizabeth dominated the monthly meeting of the Parish Council last Thursday.
Donald Horne, councillor for the Junction Division, told the meeting that the community of Junction has grown into a large commercial town over the last 10 years. He said there were frequent break-ins of shops, restaurants and supermarkets, among other business places, and therefore a police post was urgently needed in the town.
"The closest police station to Junction is the Bull Savannah Police Station, which is some three miles away. Therefore, a police post in the town of Junction would help to urgently address the high levels of criminal activity in the community. Southfield does not need such a facility right now," Councillor Horne said.
But Shirley Myers, councillor for the Southfield Division, believed a police post was also needed in that community and if such a facility was not established in the area, crime there could get worse. He said the level of crime, which includes burglaries, could no longer be tolerated in the community.
"If it is the last thing I achieve before I leave this Council, I need a police post in Southfield," said Councillor Myers.
'St Bess' Council gives support for Nat'l Health Fund
BLACK RIVER:
THE RECENTLY-LAUNCHED National Health Fund (NHF) has received support from the St. Elizabeth Parish Council.
Addressing the monthly meeting of the Council last week, Mayor of Black River, Daphne Holmes, encouraged councillors and officers to tell their constituents who have any of the chronic illness covered under the fund to get registered with the NHF.
"This is not about politics, so assist your people to get registered with the Fund so they can benefit from it. I believe this NHF will assist a number of persons in our division who cannot afford to buy medication," Mrs. Holmes said.
Councillor for the Brompton Division, Dorothy Buchanan, said in cases where persons were unable to fill out the forms, the councillors should offer assistance.
"Councillors, let us make use of this Fund by helping our people where possible," she said.
