BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth:

The roof of the postal agency in Leeds, St. Elizabeth, which was blown off during Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 has been repaired, and the residents are grateful.

Speaking at the reopening of the facility recently, Lenworth Blake, the Member of Parliament for south east St. Elizabeth, said too much pressure had been placed on residents who had to travel to Santa Cruz to collect mail, a distance of more than five miles away.

Providing labour

He said the residents should be commended for providing the labour which aided in the completion of the work.

"We have worked hard to complete this postal agency because I know how difficult it can be for some of you who had to go to Santa Cruz to collect one light bill or one water bill. After the hurricane, when you came here, the building was looking very bad. But today, you all can smile that you can collect your mail right here in Leeds," Mr. Blake stated.

Norman Davey, regional inspector of post offices, said efforts will be made to improve the level of service offered at the local post offices in the region.

He said that restoring the service to the people of Leeds was very important.

Stacey Williams, a resident, told The Gleaner that it was very difficult to cope during the absence of the facility and was happy that something was done to have the building restored to its former status.

- R.D.