Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

A resident of Nightingale Grove in Bushy Park, St. Catherine, explains to Richard Azan (background), State Minister for Local Government and Environment, how the houses in her residential scheme were flooded during the rainy season. Mr. Azan was touring the area yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Spanish Town, St. Catherine:

Immediate remedial work will commence on the Coburn Gully in Nightingale Grove in St. Catherine to alleviate the flooding problem in the community.

According to Richard Azan, State Minister for Local Government and Environment, the work will start immediately as the residents of the community have been suffering from flooding when it rains.

Although not pinpointing the estimated cost of the project, Edgar Llewellyn, major project manager at the NWA, told The Gleaner that the immediate remedial work to be done could start at $10 million. It was revealed that, although equipment and machinery will be used in the first phase, residents will stand to benefit from employment as the project continues.

Mr. Azan, who toured the community yesterday, along with members of the NWA and Member of Parliament Everald Warmington, said that, for too long, residents have been inconvenienced and had to move out of their dwellings due to flooding.

Work to start now

He said a recent survey was carried out by members of the NWA and it was decided that work has to start now.

Several residents complained that, with the hurricane season upon them, they have to start moving to higher grounds and seeking refuge with relatives and friends elsewhere.

"For 22 years I have been living here. The flooding continues every year, and we hope that it will stop because, right now, we have moved the furniture up to the ceiling should in case the rain starts," said Nadine Leechman, a resident.