By Damion Mitchell, Staff ReporterTHE KINGSTON and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) has expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of work by the National Works Agency (NWA) in reopening several roads blocked during the May rains.
At its Roads and Traffic meeting at the KSAC's Church Street offices in downtown Kingston yesterday, the corporation passed a resolution for a detailed report on how the $5 million project under the flood damage recovery programme was undertaken in communities of East Rural and West Rural, St. Andrew.
"The money was not spent properly," charged Alvin Francis, Councillor for the Mavis Bank division. He said in communities such as Wesphalia, Halls Delight and Flamstead, debris removed from blocked drains have been piled up on the sides of the roads. And according to him, another hard shower of rain could again result in the problem of blocked drains.
He later told The Gleaner that "the National Works Agency should have taken responsibility for the work and see that it was dealt with properly."
In supporting the resolution for a detailed report on the programme, Audley Gordon, Councillor for the Hughenden division suggested that a representative of the NWA be invited to the next Roads and Traffic meeting to address the concerns of the councillors. "On the face of it (the situation,) it smells a little fishy," he said.
It was noted at the meeting that the report indicating the status of the work under the flood damage recovery programme, was signed by Cecil Richards, Parish Manager of the NWA. However, the signature of Delroy Hall, senior KSAC Works Overseer, was not affixed.
According to the report, six roadways were reopened in East Rural St. Andrew amounting to $1.28 million, plus $160,000 for the cleaning of silt and debris in other areas within the constituency. In West Rural St. Andrew, seven roads were reopened totalling $288,000. The report states that retaining walls are under construction in the Lime Tree Road area with restoration of the road surface yet to begin.
Stephen Shaw, acting communications manager at the NWA told The Gleaner yesterday that he was unable to comment on the matter, as he was "not privy to the information."
