Angelo Laurence, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

The lack of piped water has left residents of south Manchester frustrated as they claim the situation is now unbearable.

Drought-prone communities of Cross Keys, Grove Town, Marlie Hill, Plowden and several others have not had water in their pipes for more than two years.

According to Marcia Jones, a resident, what makes them upset is that water is pumped from a well in the community of Grove Town to serve what she terms "more influential areas" while they have none.

Canute Morgan, a farmer, told The Gleaner that since Hurricane Ivan destroyed the metal tank in Bottom Plowden, he and other family members have had to be buying water. He claimed Member of Parliament for the area, Michael Peart, has not seen to the replacement of the tank as promised.

Pit Toilet Tragedy

However, what has now infuriated the residents, particularly those in Cross Keys, Woodlawn and Marlie Hill, is the collapse of a pit toilet flooring at the Woodlawn Primary School last Thursday, which resulted in two 10-year-old students falling in. The frightened youngsters were forced to use the old pit toilets as there was no water to allow the use of the modern flush toilets at the school.

According to principal of the school, Egbert Walters, there are two tanks on the compound. However, the tanks leak and are unable to contain the level of water needed to make use of the flush toilets.

Secretary/manager of the Manchester Parish Council, Winston Palmer, said that, in cases of emergency, the parish council has been assisting some schools though it is the responsibility of the National Water Commission to ensure that schools are kept supplied with adequate water.

Falmouth, Trelawny

Minister of Agriculture and Land, Roger Clarke, says the Government will be spending $5 million to survey approximately 1,075 parcels in housing schemes across the island.

Mr. Clarke was speaking at a handover ceremony of land titles to 20 beneficiaries in Falmouth, Trelawny, on Thursday.

"I have envisioned several more ceremonies like this one in the ensuing months," he said. "The fact is we have some 54 schemes totalling 3,542 lots in the various parish councils awaiting approval and an additional 75 properties, comprising 8,871 lots, to be surveyed and subdivision approval obtained."

Minister Clarke said the Government would ensure that beneficiaries under the Land Settlement Programme receive their titles in short order.

- Mark Titus

Montego Bay, St James

The Government of Jamaica has thrown its support behind the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association's (JHTA) first summit on the state of the Jamaican environment, to be held early next year in Montego Bay, St. James.

This announcement was made by JHTA President Horace Peterkin during his address Thursday at the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism's (CAST) Green Tourism Conference in Montego Bay.

Mr. Peterkin said Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has agreed to participate in the summit and has promised to mandate her Cabinet ministers to help with the preparations for the hosting of the summit.

- Claudia Gardner

Spanish Town, St Catherine

With the potential for an outbreak of bird flu in the Caribbean region, the Emergency Animal Disease Task Force held a simulation exercise at the Ascot Hall in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, on Thursday to determine how such a crisis could be handled in the future.

According to Dr. Headley Edwards, task force coordinator, Jamaica cannot afford to assume an outbreak of the deadly disease, responsible for the deaths of at least 150 persons worldwide.

Dr. Frederick Lazarus told the gathering that there needs to be a holistic approach as many birds that have been caught in the wild and taken to Jamaica might be considered possible carriers of the disease.

- Rasbert Turner

Ocho Rios, St Ann

Seven outstanding Justices of the Peace from St. Ann were recently honoured by the St. Ann Justices of the Peace Association for long and dedicated service.

The seven, including three women, were honoured at the association's annual awards banquet which was held at the Almond Tree Restaurant in Ocho Rios.

Those honoured were Leon A. Gordon, Leonard B. Brown, Claude H. Clarke, Robert 'Bobby' Linton, Mavis Irwin Muir, Hope Rose and Norma Walters.

All except Mr. Linton, who is ill, were present to collect their awards.

Custos of St. Ann, Radcliffe Walters, praised the JPs for their outstanding service and commitment to duty, describing them as exemplary citizens of the parish.

- Devon Evans

Montego Bay, St James

Opposition Spokesman on Mining, Energy and Telecommunications, Clive Mullings, says there are too many questions surrounding the relationship between Trafigura Beheer and the Government, and is calling on Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, to break his silence on the issue.

Mr. Mullings, the Member of Parliament for West Central St. James, says that if the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) entertains any tender by Trafigura for the lifting of Nigerian crude oil on behalf of Jamaica, it would be contemptuous of the people of Jamaica and the Côte d'Ivoire.

He said any attempt by the Government or PCJ to continue the relationship with Trafigura would be met with "the strongest possible opposition by the Jamaica Labour Party".

- M.T.

Black River, St Elizabeth

A fund-raising dinner, to benefit the Black River Hospital, will be held this afternoon at the Port of Call Hotel in the town, starting at 3:00.

The event is being organised by Friends of the Black River Hospital (FBRH), a local non-governmental organisation.

FBRH President Eleanor Evan, told JIS News that the aim of her organisation was to raise funds to rehabilitate all the hospital's wards. "From the funds we receive this time around, we will be making a start with the male ward," she said.

She urged the public to support the event, noting that it was in aid of a worthy cause. Patrons, she said, would benefit from good entertainment provided by a mento band, and a tasty meal at a reasonable cost. Persons who wish to purchase tickets for the event can contact the FBRH at 963-1545 or 463-6520.

- JIS

Claremont, St Ann

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has begun using greenhouse technology to produced sweet and hot pepper seedlings at its St. Ann parish office in Claremont.

A greenhouse built on the compound has produced 10,000 hot pepper seedlings so far, out of a projected 20,000, and some 2,000 sweet pepper seedlings out of a projected 4,000.

RADA Parish Manager Pedro Worghs told The Gleaner this week that the King Henry hybrid brand of sweet pepper was being used and seedlings could be purchased for $7. Hot pepper seedlings cost $5 each.

Noting that seedlings are expensive and farmers have yet to master the art of seedling production, he said RADA would produce seedlings of other crops with the greenhouse technology, should farmers make requests.

- Leslie McLean