Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
A view from First Avenue in phase one of West Cumberland of the drain that is the source of residents' complaint. The drain is almost on the same level as the street. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A CONTINGENT of Portmore residents are planning to drag Gore Developments Limited to court over an alleged faulty drainage system, which has resulted in their homes being flooded on numerous occasions since 1998.
The approximately 16 home-owners from First and Second avenues in phase one of West Cumberland told The Gleaner this week that despite years of lobbying the real estate developers, their lamentations are yet to be appeased.
The residents, who indicated that they have reached their boiling point, said that since correctional measures have not been freely given, it would be legally demanded. "We are trying to get some money together, so we can get a lawyer on the case," said Olean Malcolm.
George Lee, mayor of Portmore, supports the residents in their bid to pursue legal recourse. In addition, Mayor Lee launched an attack on some of the real estate developers.
"It is a problem throughout Portmore in a number of schemes. The developers walk away and the work is not properly done," he said.
Mayor Lee told The Gleaner that West Cumberland is at present not under the rule of the Portmore Municipal Council, as the then ruling St. Catherine Parish Council had refused to accept the scheme from Gore Developments Limited, citing that "it was not properly constructed".
REBUFFED
However, Christopher Gore of Gore Developments Limited rebuffed the mayor's claims. He explained that his company tried for years to hand over the scheme to the parish council to no avail and no reason for non-acceptance was given.
Mr. Gore admitted that the residents lodged a complaint to his company back in 1998, but quickly pointed out that remedial work was subsequently done to the drains. Since then, his company washed their hands of culpability for the perpetual flooding. "We no longer accept responsibility for flooding," he asserted.
Then, he launched a counter attack on the Portmore Municipal Council, stating that the primary reason for the flooding was not the alleged faulty drains constructed by his company, but the lack of maintenance of the main drains that they lead to, which are supposed to be maintain by the council.
However, the residents believe that the root cause of the problem is that the drain is on the same level as the road.
Mrs. Malcolm, who has been living in the community for seven years, revealed to The Gleaner that ten minutes of heavy rain send them on a flood watch.
Mrs. Malcolm's husband, Warren, added that if they are not home during the downpour, all they can do is look to the heavens and pray.
"If you are not home you likely to lose anything on the ground ... it is basically a nightmare," she stressed.
Over the years, residents have incurred thousands of dollars in damages due to the constant flooding.
Despite maintaining that his company is not to be blamed, Mr. Gore said he would be convening a meeting with the residents this week to find an amicable solution.
