Portmore yet to see report on highway
published: Thursday | July 7, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

AFTER ALMOST three months the residents of Portmore are still awaiting the results of the study conducted by the Prime Minister's 'high level' team. This team comprised the National Road Operating and Construction Company (NROCC), TranJamaica Highway Ltd and Bouygues. The mandate of this team was to complete a study on a range of issues relating to the Portmore leg of Highway 2000. We were assured that the dialogue would be a part of the resolution to our concerns. To my knowledge no meetings or discussions have been initiated by the government. The legitimate concerns of the residents have been ignored by the government. This while the contractors are working overtime to complete their contractual obligation. This while the people suffer daily as the road surface deteriorates to the point where traversing an obstacle course would be much easier than driving in Portmore.

The Highway stands supreme over everything but the biggest worry in my mind is how the government will ensure that we access this first class road network if all the roads leading to it are impassable due to the deplorable road condition. These roads were damaged by the heavy-duty vehicles associated with the highway construction and we are anxiously waiting to see who will stand the cost of restoring them to driving condition.

Court action or no court action the people of Portmore are still awaiting the 'high level team' report. We are still awaiting that report from consultations with Bouygues management team in France. The concern of the residents of Portmore are non-political and so there is no reason why they should continue to avoid us.

I am, etc.,

HOWARD HAMILTON

Portmore Pines

St. Catherine