Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
MONEAGUE, St. Ann:
IN AN effort to alleviate the plight of residents of the community of Swamp near Moneague in St. Ann, the parish council last week began cutting a new road to re-establish access to that community.
The community of Swamp has been cut off since Saturday, July 16. Furthermore, seven families have had to be rescued by Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) personnel and the police as a result of the rising flood waters which flooded their homes.
ROAD INUNDATED
The present road leading to Swamp has been inundated by flood waters since mid-July and the residents have had to use foot-paths through bushes to get in and out of the community of nearly 100 households.
Last Thursday, workmen began to clear a piece of land on Foreman's Hill adjoining the Moneague Housing Scheme to facilitate the construction of the new road to Swamp.
Private landowner Denton Foreman donated the land to allow the road to be constructed. Mayor of St. Anns Bay, Delroy Giscombe, thanked him for the humanitarian gesture.
Following a tour of the flood-stricken community on Monday by the mayor, as well as councillor for the area, Lloyd Garrick, instructions were given by the mayor to the Superintendent of Roads and Works, Arthur Hosang, to give the necessary approval for the construction of the work to begin.
Mayor Giscombe also gave approval to the Windalco Bauxite Company to reopen two parish council roads in the vicinity of Swamp which will provide better access to the adjoining communities in the event of further flooding.
Supt. of Roads and Works, Arthur Hosang, said the roads to be reopened are road number 56 from Haddon to Moneague, for the benefit of the people of Clapham, and the parish council road to River Head.
Based on a request made by Councillor Garrick, Windalco has agreed to assist in the clearing of the roads.
