On choppy waters - Authorities say Westmoreland community threatening water quality

"Typhoid is not as great a concern in Westmoreland as it was then. This, I think, is due to some work done by the Ministry of Health, but the location of those people in Roaring River is still inappropriate and could lead to contamination at a later stage," Chang said on Tuesday.

"Relocation is the only thing to do. They are not in an appropriate position. The logical thing is to move them downstream because they are currently located at the head of the water source."

Chang did not give a specific timeline, but indicated that the biggest challenge was to find the funding to facilitate the relocation exercise.

However, the mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Bertel Moore, said he is concerned about the current situation and is now awaiting a report from the health department.

"It was just last week that I requested a report on it from the medical officer of health for the parish," he stated.

Several attempts to contact the medical officer, Dr Dianne Campbell Stennett, proved futile.

Residents disagree with claims

"We are not leaving. Is years mi live here, and is only stranger come here and talk about disease. No one from the area never catch typhoid," said Verona Bennett, who has called the community home for more than two decades.

Others agreed and cited that they have been using the water to drink, cook and bathe over the last 40 years.

The relocation issue dates back to early 2002 when the health authorities determined that the village, which is now home to more than 400 residents, posed a threat to the water quality of Roaring River. The waterway provides the resource for central Westmoreland and the George's Plain, including the parish capital, Savanna-la-Mar.

A survey by the health department found that 39.6 per cent of the 80 sealed latrines - built in the 1990s for residents in the area during the typhoid outbreak - are now filled with faeces. Additionally, 60.4 per cent of the pits, although not filled, contained faeces and water that normally fluctuate with the water table.

A 2003 report by the Water Resources Authority concluded that since the villagers were responsible for polluting the river, the community should be vacated and residents relocated to adjacent sugar lands.

However, residents have maintained that the problem can be corrected by constructing a sewerage treatment plant in the community. There were also suggestions that the water source in question is not Roaring River, but the Turtle River.

Member of parliament for Central Westmoreland, Roger Clarke, told Western Focus that he is not opposed to the relocation if somewhere suitable is identified.

"I don't have a problem (as long as) they are prepared to relocate them somewhere satisfactory. You cannot just want to run them off without putting things in place. Many have been living there for decades, so it's a bit difficult," he said.

"There are lands nearby that they have divested to the Chinese, but I don't see where there should be a problem for them to cut off a piece. The bottom line is that it cannot be below the standard that they are now living."

Dwight Bennett, labourer:

No, they should not. They want to give the place to their rich friends. Roaring River is the people's legacy; they should stay there.

Ryan Vassell, self-employed:

Instead of focusing on pushing the people off what is rightfully theirs, they should be focused on improving the lives of the people.

Jasmine Spence, vendor:

Is Roaring River me born and grow, and me not moving. There is no typhoid threatening the water source. They are lying.

Dorreen Linton, revivalist:

The community members must be left alone. They should not have to go through any oppression from Government.

Cleve Smith, tour guide: 

My grandfather died and leave my piece a land give mi. Is trick dem a try fi trick Rastaman.

Carl Vassell, labourer:

Move go where? They need to leave poor people alone.

Polish tourists Gwendel (left) and Pierre Swarze deliberate the purchase of a craft item at Spencer's Woodcarving in Haddo, Westmoreland.- Photo by Mark Titus