By Adrian Frater, News EditorWESTERN BUREAU:
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW CHARLES Sinclair, the Councillor for the Montego Bay Central (Flankers) Division, in St. James, is warning that civil unrest could erupt if the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) fails to keep its promise to fund the installation of water pipes to the Providence Heights and Norwood communities.
"We are calling on the NHDC to immediately honour its commitment to fund the installation of the water pipes," said the outspoken councillor. "Despite representation from Member Of Parliament, Dr. Horace Chang, and the consequent commitment of the NHDC to fund the project (estimated at $2.5 million), nothing has happened to date.
"The lack of water is causing severe inconvenience to the residents of Providence Heights and Norwood, which could result in civil unrest," continued Councillor Sinclair, who said the NHDC tardiness is preventing the National Water Commission, the implementing agency, from starting the project.
"The residents have threatened to take to the street if the pipelines are not installed soon," declared Councillor Sinclair, in warning that the city, which is now enjoying relative peace and tranquillity, cannot deal with a demonstration of the magnitude of what was seen in 1994.
Declaring that residents of the Providence Heights housing development, which came into being nine years ago in the aftermath of a major fracas between real estate mogul Joe Witter and residents of the area, was crying out for help, Councillor Sinclair said that although it is one of the first Operation PRIDE projects in the island, the area remains underdeveloped in terms of infrastructure and amenities.
