Left: Denise, a resident of Skibo district in Portland, displays her water-storage containers. Right: Donna Lungrin demonstrates the 'no-show' of water that she has been greeted with over years whenever her pipe is turned on. - Norman Grindley /Deputy Chief Photographer

What's not working?

Last week, the residents of Clarendon Gardens in Clarendon complained bitterly about being constantly overwhelmed by flood waters. This week, the people of Skibo in Portland tell an equally sad tale about water. However, this time around, the crux of the matter is about the lack thereof.

For many, the disheartening after effects of Hurricane Gilbert's devastating trek through Jamaica in 1988 is long gone. Not so for Skibo residents. Close to two decades after what arguably is the island's most notorious hurricane more than bad memories of the experience linger for many residents of Skibo.

The terror severely destroyed their pipes resulting in a lack of potable water in the community. Since then, they have been forced to accept the deprivation they now face as a part of their daily lives while chanting "dereliction of duty" on the part of the Portland Parish Council that has failed to address the issue.

Synopsis of the situation:

Donna Lungrin, who has been a Skibo resident for over 50 years, said that she and other residents have been depending heavily on the nearby Spanish and Mabess rivers for water. In other instances, they have to buy water from the Mek Yah spring water company about a mile away.

"When we want water we either have to buy it at Mek Yah and pay an additional cost to someone to transport it for us (or) get some from the untreated section of the Mek Yah water plant at the manager's consent," she said.

Denise, another resident, sadly commented that some citizens in the community actually drink the water from the contaminated river, disregarding potential ill health for a much-needed quench of thirst.

Ms. Lungrin told our news team that the last time she had piped water occurred when one of her daughters - Evon - was 12 years old. Now at age 29 and the mother of a two-year-old daughter, Evon lamented that she has not witnessed the modern marvel of water flowing through her taps since then.

Who's responsible?

The Portland Parish Council.

What's the status?

When contacted last Thursday, Benny White, the recently installed Mayor of Port Antonio, said he was not aware of the water situation in Skibo. However, Mayor White pledged that he would familiarise himself with the issue and then provide Tyrone's Watch with information the following day. We waited patiently and the Mayor has failed to make good on his promise. Mr. White, we are still waiting!

Omar Sweeney, operations manager at Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), said the agency was currently conducting operations in the adjoining Bybrook community to have piped water circulating in that area within the next seven months. This project, he said, will also be extended into the Skibo community and then turned over to the Portland Parish Council.

Mr. Sweeney could not verify the claim made by the residents that they have been living without water since Hurricane Gilbert.

Conclusion

Inhumane does not even begin to describe the hardships facing the people of Skibo. Desperate situations require desperate measures, and some of the measures the residents have to resort are just sad. It begs the question: Does anybody in Government really care? Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, here is a mandate for you.

The absence of such a life-sustaining and precious commodity which could have gone unnoticed in Skibo or any other community for that matter, for almost two decades, is absolutely preposterous.

Certainly the situation must be remedied without delay. Considering all the political tumults and infighting that have taken place within the halls of the Portland Parish Council - where a mayor has resigned and no-confidence votes moved against another in a successful bid to oust him from the coveted post - no wonder residents have to grapple with this need for such a basic amenity. If more time is spent collaborating to solve the problems plaguing the parish instead of tussling for power then things such as providing piped water could get done for a change.

You know, it is just mind-boggling how elected officials are always conveniently in the dark regarding wrongs that have existed for years in the areas over which they preside. After all the fighting, Mr. White sought to ascend to the office of mayor, and one would expect better from him. Mayor White, you of all persons need to perform, lest it be said that you were just power-hungry and not desirous of helping the people.

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, Kingston; Fax: 922-6223, Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364 or Email: tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com.

Marlon Vickerman, Gleaner Writer, did this instalment of Tyrone's Watch.