Motorists manoeuvre their way around this damaged drain near Old Hope Road and Caledonia Avenue in Cross Roads, St. Andrew. - photos by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

They can be spotted all over the Corporate Area. Sometimes, marked by scraps of iron or other unsightly junk, they pose a danger to pedestrians and motorists alike.

You guessed it! It's those pesky exposed drains and manholes - in front of your business place, home and school.

Start your engine and take a drive out and you're bound to swing and swerve through a hellish obstacle-course maze. It's enough to drive you mad!

Drains and manholes are the responsibility of the National Works Agency (NWA) but, incredibly, the agency seems to have little or no knowledge of them.

Stephen Shaw, communications and customer service manager at the NWA, says he is unaware of the ones pictured here today.

He pointed out to The Gleaner on Friday that it has been "a while" since he has visited these areas and that the agency is responsible for several roadways.

Shaw said that, had it not been for some drains being fixed, there would be more eyesores around.

The communications point man pins some of the blame for open drains and manholes on vandals and petty thieves, linking them to the rampant rise in scrap metal theft.

This open manhole is one of two in the vicinity of the St. William Grant Park.

Two women walk by an exposed manhole on the sidewalk west of St. William Grant Park in downtown Kingston.

This man walks by another damaged and exposed drain at the Spanish Town Road/ West Avenue junction.

This bucket is a warning sign to motorists driving past this uncovered drain near King and New Cross streets in Kingston.

This uncovered drain was spotted near the intersection of North and Orange streets, downtown Kingston.