THE EDITOR, Sir:THE PORT Authority's current expansion KCT4 will increase its capacity to 300,000 T.U. (container units) which will make it the third largest port in Latin America. Their expansion plan started back in 2001, the same year the contract was signed with the developers of the toll roads. After much deliberations and analysis of their options, they settled on a location in their northern option as this would not interfere with the approach to the airport runway of their sister agency, the Airports Authority. The Port Authority fully endorses the Portmore leg of Highway 2000. Large amounts of money will be invested for this expansion project which will project our image on the world stage in port facilities.
What the Port Authority neglected to do was to include in their planning, how 10% of the Jamaican population will leave their home to contribute to the national economy daily. Our current bridge is to be taken down to facilitate expansion of the port, and not a cent paid to us as compensation, nor an alternative bridge built, so as not to inconvenience us.
This is piecemeal development and the Government must instruct the Ports to return to us, Portmore residents, a bridge at no cost to us; or pay the developers the cost for us to use the toll road.
I implore the Ports Authority to look at this option, as the people of Portmore will not pay a toll to facilitate their expansion.
I am, etc.,
HOWARD HAMILTON
Portmore Pines
