Three enthusiastic young men from the community of Hamilton Gardens shows the run down state of the drainage system in their community.
WHAT'S NOT WORKING?
WE WERE alerted to the poor road conditions in Hamilton Gardens in Gregory Park, St. Catherine. But we also found that the community's drainage system is in dire need of cleaning and remedial work.
A few of the entrances to the drainage system have been left open. As a result, the community's children court danger. The residents allege that the covers of the drain were removed to facilitate cleaning, just ahead of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's visit for the opening of the Gregory Park Basic School in 2002.
It is now more than two months into 2006, and after much picketing by the residents, the National Works Agency's St. Catherine office promised to look into the matter of resealing the drains.
Residents lament that when it rains, persons without vehicles wish they had some boats or the service of some 'robot canoes' to get into and out of their homes. The roads are flooded and sometimes the water goes as far as the embankment that leads to their gates. Some people's houses are also flooded.
SYNOPSIS OF THE SITUATION
'Living in this place is hell' was the bitter words uttered by one frustrated resident. That sentiment sums up the prevailing situation. The residents feel that they have been forgotten by the authorities.
The roads in the community are terrible! As a matter of fact, some sections are so severely eroded there is only minute evidence to suggest that it was once paved.
When driving, residents have to pick their poison, as to which pothole to drive through. Potholes of every shape and size have eaten up so much of the road surface they are now unavoidable. Luckily, in recent years some of the roads have been repaired.
At some sections, the drains resemble concrete garbage bins.
At other sections, the drains look like little farms - minus the fruits or vegetables - as they are overrun by overgrown vegetation.
WHATS THE STATUS
Nobody knows.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE
It's anybody's guess. The St. Catherine Parish Council referred The Gleaner to the Portmore Municipal Council.
The Portmore Municipal Council referred us back to the St. Catherine Parish Council.
The Portmore Municipal Council said that other communities have been handed over but Hamilton Gardens was not included.
CONCLUSION:
No section of the country's road network should be allowed to deteriorate to such a deplorable state.
Also, the Government of this country should ensure that all community developments are done up to par so that the parish councils are obliged to take responsibility for them.
The community of Hamilton Gardens in Gregory Park, St. Catherine, needs attention - urgent attention.
CONCLUSION
No section of the country's road network should be allowed to deteriorate to such a deplorable state.
Also, the Government of this country should ensure that all community developments are done up to par so that the parish councils are obliged to take responsibility for them.
The community of Hamilton Gardens in Gregory Park, St. Catherine, needs attention - urgent attention.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Tell us about problems in your community. We will visit and help to lobby for action. Write to: Tyrone Reid, the Gleaner Company Ltd., 7 North Street, P.O. Box 40, Kingston;
Fax: 922-6223, Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364 or Email: tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com.
