Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

Port Antonio, Portland:

Residents in the Rio Grande Valley of eastern Portland are trying to pick up the pieces following torrential rainfall last week which ravaged hundreds of acres of farmlands, agricultural produce, animals and houses.

Since the devastation, tensions have been mounting among residents who were already faced with deplorable road conditions for more than 20 years.

With the terrible road conditions already creating mayhem in the Rio Grande Valley, the recent flood rains have driven a final nail into the coffin, as hopes of recovery are dying.

Cut off from society

"One of these days we will wake up to the reality that we have been cut off from society," said Marva Townsend, a resident of Bellevue district. "Several roads in the upper Rio Grande Valley are in danger of being cut off as a result of frequent land slippages, which are caused by flood rains."

According to Ms. Townsend, a lack of river training has been the main contributing factor to the frequent disasters in the Rio Grande Valley. She said rivers continue to overflow their banks, causing severe damage to the road network, as well as wide-scale flooding.

"We have lost millions of dollars in farm produce, along with animals, during the recent flood rains," she further said. "If only the powers that be would address the problem as they surfaced, we would not be faced with this crisis situation. I believe it is now impossible for Government to restore these roads at this time, as it will require billions of dollars to do so."

More than 80 kilometres of roadway in the lower and upper Rio Grande Valley have fallen into a state of disrepair. Various communities including Mill Bank, Friday, Ginger House, Windsor and Tom's Hope were classified by State Minister responsible for roads, Richard Azan, as the worst in Jamaica.

Meantime, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for the constituency, Dennis Wright, expressed sympathy for the residents. Mr. Wright told them he would be making every effort to highlight the crisis facing them, and pledged to seek assistance from the relevant agencies to address their plight.

"It is not the first time that these residents are faced with difficulties caused by flood rains," said Mr. Wright. "It is a frustrating situation as promises made by their political representatives are never kept. I believe it is about time we treat the issues of the people as priority."