GOVERNMENT HAS allocated some $1.1 billion for infrastructure repairs in Portland and other flood ravaged parishes, the state news agency said this week.
The funds were disbursed during the last quarter of 2001, and spent through the Ministry of Transport and Works on road repairs, reconstruction of bridges, river training, clearing of roads, repairs to gullies, patching of roads and other infrastructure reinforcements in affected areas.
Approximately 82 roads in St. Mary, rural St. Andrew, Portland, St. Catherine, St. Ann and St. Thomas were affected by landslides and flooding and of these 90 per cent were re-opened to at least single lane traffic, said JIS News. The road to Claverty Cottage in Portland remains impassable by vehicles, as reported by the national disaster agency.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management said Wednesday that some $8.7 million of assistance was given to flood victims in eight parishes, adding Clarendon and St. Elizabeth to the above list.
There are 150 persons still being sheltered in Portland and 50 in St. Mary, two of the hardest hit parishes from rains that pelted the island's north east in October and November.
