The Editor, Sir:

Quite recently, November 29, Prime Minister Golding, on a political platform in St. Ann's Bay, cited a stop order on hurricane relief. He indicated that the Hon. Mike Henry had pointed out irregularities at Portland Cottage. I, myself, would like answers on how Hurricane Ivan's matters were handled in our Caribbean Terrace community in Kingston.

Our household did not benefit then as owners. The groin (basket of stones rolled in wire) to the sea, and the wall bordering the sea to prevent soil erosion were not maintained. However, after Hurricane Ivan, the adjoining Hope River had stone baskets put up and repaired as a protectective measure.

Up to now, no technical report has been tabled. The publicity given by the electronic media attracted looters, who did more damage than Hurricane Dean. The area was invaded by human scavengers.

Not an excuse

I write, too, in appreciation of Al Gore's presentation on planet Earth and the consequences of global warming, but this should not be taken as an immediate excuse or a prescription for the Caribbean Terrace community.

Sometime ago, before Hurricane Ivan, there was a ship off the coast of the Caribbean Terrace com-munity day and night, maybe for two months. Huge pipes were protruding from the ship. Some suspected underwater cable engineering, but you could afterwards see bits of coral washed ashore. The same perhaps, explains why the sea washed over the Palisadoes strip and damaged the marine ecology. Where are the environment lawyers to help protect our fragile Jamaica?

I am, etc.,

DENNIS HIGGINS

Lot 36 Calypso Crescent

Caribbean Terrace

Kingston 17