Robert Lalah and Ross Sheil, Staff Reporters
A section of Kennedy Grove in Clarendon which is still under water. - NORMAN GRINDLEY /DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
A DAY after giving an attorney the go ahead to pursue legal action against the Government on their behalf, residents of the water logged Kennedy Grove community in Clarendon were busy yesterday trying to piece their lives back together.
This as forecasters predicted even more unstable weather would hit the island later this week.
Most of Kennedy Grove was covered with water last week when heavy rains pounded the island. Residents claim the flooding was caused by poor planning and accuse the developers and the Government of negligence. They are now seeking compensation for their losses.
At a community meeting on Sunday, the residents commissioned attorney Senator Arthur Williams to take the Government to court.
MOPPING UP
Yesterday Kennedy Grove resident Leonia Campbell was busy mopping up when she took time out to explain why the residents decided to take action.
"It has to be done. We don't just have one problem here. Everything is wrong in this community. This is not what we paid for," she said.
Ms. Campbell noted that apart from the flood waters, which come from all directions when it rains, they face other serious problems. She said that, on Friday, she flipped a light switch and all the bulbs in her home literally exploded. "The electrical is messed up," she said.
Most of the children from the community managed to make it to school yesterday, but their parents stayed behind to clean out their homes which, only a few days ago, were submerged in muddy water.
The Gleaner was unable to contact the developer of the community for a comment yesterday.
During yesterday's post-Cabinet briefing at Jamaica House, Information Minister Burchell Whiteman said the Government was aware residents had retained a lawyer, but called for patience.
"We are very sensitive to the issue and the matter is going to be dealt with," he said.
The Information Minister noted that reports from the relevant agencies would be submitted to the Infrastructure Sub-committee of Cabinet before deliberations next Monday.
Meanwhile, president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) Don Mullings said yesterday that contractors, engineers and public officials should be prosecuted if found to be failing to protect the public interest.
