Keisha Hill, Gleaner Reporter
Jamaica Labour Party councillor, Keith Blake (standing), raises concerns about how the new development of a four-lane road on Passagefort Drive in Portmore, St. Catherine, will affect residents in the area as a seemingly unbothered Robert Pickersgill (left), Minister of Housing, Water, Transport and Works, chats with Member of Parliament for the Passagefort area, Paul Robertson, during a meeting in the area on Wednesday. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
IRATE RESIDENTS of Old Passagefort Drive and surround-ing communities lashed Minister of Housing, Water, Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, and his team during a steamy meeting held on Passagefort Drive in Portmore, St. Catherine, on Wednesday.
Members of the business and residential communities were apprehensive and frustrated about the ongoing road develop-ment taking place in the area. Many complained that they were not informed by the developers or the Government prior to the commencement of the road development.
Minister Pickersgill informed the gathering that it was in the interest of the community that the meeting was called to address the road development.
"The interest of the motorist and the pedestrian and the users of the road predominates and supersedes all the other interests," the Transport Minister said.
FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE
However, Steven Mitchell, president of the Old Passagefort Citizens' Association, said there was a failure to communicate properly with the community.
"From as early as last year the residents were trying to get dialogue with the relevant persons but it took aggressive action on the part of the Portmore Advisory Council for the meeting to take place here today (Wednesday)," Mr. Mitchell said.
Meanwhile, residents said they understood that with develop-ment there was going to be some inconvenience and they were willing to put up with the inconvenience, but they should have been informed and given adequate notice and time to prepare.
Some of the many concerns highlighted by the citizens included the displacement of businesses along the corridor of Old Passagefort Drive and the displacement of children in terms of the walking facilities, parking for householders and proper drainage for the area.
Residents also said they were concerned about proper draining facilities for the community, especially to mitigate flooding.
Ivan Anderson, director at the National Road and Operating and Contracting Company (NROCC), told The Gleaner that drainage issues are going to be addressed. He said the contractors will be putting in a new drainage system which will connect into the existing canal system in Portmore.
Natasha Forester, a resident of Myrtle Way in the community, said she was happy for the road development. "I am proud of the road construction as I think it is very progressive and people need to uplift progress instead of trying to beat it down," she said.
