Left: Reporter Tyrone Reid spoke to Corletta Henry (left) and some young men from Rhoden Crescent in Olympic Gadens, St Andrew, about their desire for community development, such as the resuscitation of this defunct block-making machine.   Right: These two girls from Rhoden Crescent play in one of the huge craters in the road. - photos by Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

WHAT'S NOT WORKING?

Road repairs are needed for Rhoden Crescent in Olympic Gardens. The community is located off Olympic Way and the road leads to the Penwood High School. However, what took pre-eminence when The Gleaner visited the area last week was the people's passionate plea for assistance to have a block-making machine restored.

SYNOPSIS OF THE SITUATION:

MACHINE:

Corletta Henry, a resident from the area, wrote to The Gleaner regarding the state of the block-making machine, which once provided employment for a dozen young men from the community. In her letter, Ms. Henry pointed out that young men from the community have died because they are not gainfully employed and as such turned to criminality.

The residents said that the machine, which has been out of commission since 2005, was donated by their Member of Parliament Andrew Holness in 2001. However, mismanagement resulted in the decommissioning of the money-maker for young people. Now several youths are without a job.

The young men from the community reminisced about the days that they used to make blocks and cook dumplings. They said that they had two shifts, with six persons on each. The youths made it abundantly clear that they are not asking for money, but would love if someone with expertise could repair the machine.

"We don't want nuh money ... just want the thing to do we business," one youngster stressed. Another young man said when the block-making machine was operational, it prevented a lot of young people from taking up the gun.

There is also need for raw material to get the business up and running again.

ROADS:

The thoroughfares in the community are desperately in need of repairs. The residents said that they have conducted their own patching programmes. But more is needed. Parents, students and teachers of the Penwood High School will have extreme difficulties this academic year, as the main entrance to the school is on Rhoden Crescent.

WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?

The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC).

WHAT'S THE STATUS?

The Roads and Works Department of the KSAC said that the road is scheduled to be fixed within a month. While unable to give a specific time, the representative said that the parish council has the money to undertake the work. The contract will be put to tender.

CONCLUSION:

The KSAC must fulfil its pledge, as the roads cannot remain in the current state much longer. We will be keeping our eyes on this one! While we can berate the KSAC for dereliction of duty, a different approach has to be taken as it relates to securing assistance for the block-making machine. We do hope that organisations or individuals will come forward to assist a community in need.

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 Limited, 7 North Street, P.O. Box 40, Kingston; Fax: 922-6223, Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364 or Email: tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com.