Left: A section of another gully that runs through this community off Maxfield Avenue shows that it is in dire need of repair and cleaning. Right: A view of the gully that runs adjacent to the Horizon Adult Remand Centre on Spanish Town Road. - PHOTOS BY RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WHAT'S NOT WORKING?
Gullies in the Corporate Area
TWO OF THE WORST CASES
1) The gully that runs adjacent to the Horizon Adult Remand Centre on Spanish Town Road, is desperately screaming for help. The gully's belly is ugly, as it is severely eroded and overrun by overgrown vegetation. It must be said, however, that some repairs have been effected to the railing of the Mother White Bridge that spans the gully.
2) The condition of the gully that runs across Waterloo Road is a total disgrace. The protective barriers have been destroyed. Meanwhile, the gully is taken up by overgrown vegetation.
SYNOPSIS OF THE SITUATION
Many sections of the gullies that populate the Corporate Area are an emblem of national shame and an indictment on both the Government and citizenry.
The citizens, for dumping their waste into the gullies. And, the Government for not prosecuting the perpetrators; and for allowing the gullies to deteriorate.
Debris of every kind pollutes the gullies that are designed to prevent flooding. Also, years of structural decay have gone unabated.
The gullies are in dire need of repair, cleansing and bushing. While many of them resemble colossal concrete garbage bins, the protective railings of others have been reduced to twisted metal.
Truth be told, not all the gullies are a mega mess.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?
It is no clear. For sometime now there has been a dispute between the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and the National Works Agency (NWA) over ownership of the gullies in the Corporate Area.
Colin Morrison, community relations officer at the NWA, told The Gleaner that only the Sandy Gully falls within the purview of his agency.
On the other hand, a represen-tative from the Road and Works Department at the KSAC said he had no clue as to which of the gullies fall within the jurisdiction of the KSAC. He admitted that ownership of the gullies has been a long-standing feud between both agencies.
WHAT'S THE STATUS?
Apparently there is no cleaning schedule in place for the city's gullies. However, Mr. Morrison said that last year the NWA went on a cleaning drive that facilitated the cleaning of "critical gullies". However, he was not able to say how often the gullies are cleaned.
CONCLUSION
Central government, the KSAC and the NWA should be ashamed of the state of the gullies in their backyard. A campaign should be launched immediately to have the gullies cleaned and repaired.
The seemingly never-ending feud between the KSAC and the NWA over ownership of gullies need to be remedied without delay.
Two years ago, Desmond McKenzie, the Mayor of Kingston, suggested that all the gullies in the Corporate Area be brought under one umbrella that would be governed by one agency. This is a worthwhile suggestion that should end the blame game. Let us act now. The hurricane season is weeks away.
And the authorities need to enforce the laws that are on the books that relate to littering. The litterbugs must be made to feel the full throttle and strength of the law. The gullies must be kept clean at any cost.
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.
