NWA to reconstruct Newmarket main road

Launtia Cuff, Contributor

The National Works Agency (NWA) has pledged to repair badly damaged sections of the Newmarket main road, said Stephen Shaw, manager of communications and customer service.

"We are planning a programme of work, and the New Market road is one of the roads that have been identified for the project. We know it needs to be reconstructed because the surface is badly worn, but that is a mid- to long-term project," he said.

While he stated that he was unable to speak to some matters in depth, Shaw went on to say that the project was hampered because of a cash crunch. He said the process of identifying funds was still ongoing.

Newmarket residents are, however, frustrated with the situation.

Rose and Dickens, residents who both operate a jerk shop in the town, say the condition of the road has resulted in business coming almost to a halt, as their main support was from passing motorists and tourist buses.

"We get we likkle support from the tourist bus dem ... but now none nah stop ya so again 'cause see a donkey track it a turn now," Rose said. She also expressed disappointment with the member of parliament, J.C. Hutchinson's, response to the matter. "He say we fi plant more tree inna di road, a so him tell we ... pon di news weh everybody a see," she added.

However, when contacted, Hutchinson said he has been lobbying for funds to be allocated to the NWA for the rehabilitation of the road.

"I spoke with the minister and I wrote to him about three months ago regarding the road from Newmarket to Middle Quarters. I handed him a letter in Parliament regarding the fixing of that road and since then I have spoken to him just about every month.

"The last I got in touch was with the minister of state when I wrote him asking if funds have been made available to the parish NWA to get the road patched, and he didn't respond at all," said Hutchinson.

The MP added that he has been in dialogue with residents and representatives from the NWA regarding the deplorable road.

The Newmarket community gained national attention when residents planted banana trees in a number of potholes on the New Market main road in protest against unsatisfactory conditions.

Ridiculous closing policy at KSAC

Camille Myers

This is an open letter to Portia Simpson Miller, prime minister of Jamaica.

I really don't understand what's really going on in this country. At the time of writing, I have been at the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) on February 6, 2013 since about 3:30 p.m.

Just as I was sent inside the office, at 4:30 p.m., I was told by an employee that she was not seeing me or anyone else, so I should come back in the morning. It was only 4.34 p.m., and I had come to pay a fee.

So after waiting one hour, it seemed as if I was just to come back in the morning because "I am just not seeing anyone else".

Upset, I left. Banks close at 2:30 p.m., and when that time comes, the door is closed. But if I were inside a bank before closing time, an official would not have said, "The bank closes at 2:30 p.m. You have to leave." No way!

But I guess this is the way the KSAC deals with people on a whole.

Stewartfield dying of thirst

demar stewart

Stewartfield district, Seaforth PO, St Thomas

I have lived in the Stewartfield district all my life and I am in my late 20s. For this period and even before this, we, the citizens, have been experiencing severe water problems. We do not have running water in our homes and have to depend on the rain and the river for water. A water truck used to bring water to us at least once every two weeks.

In these civilised times, citizens are living in uncivilised conditions, as we have to depend on the river and rain. When there is no rain, we suffer tremendously. Is Stewartfield the forgotten community in a parish that seems to be forgotten?

In rectifying this problem, we would prefer not to have water brought to us by truck, as it is not safe for drinking; only for other domestic purposes. However, lately the water truck hardly comes to the community, so we are in dire straits. We have to walk at least half a mile to catch drinking water.

Is it because we are law-abiding citizens and not blocking the road, why we are overlooked? Can someone say what we have to do to get this rectified?

We are calling on the water minister, Mr Robert Pickersgill, to take a look into this matter as soon as possible because we are tired of living like this. For a party that stresses the people as important to it, the People's National Party is showing us gross disregard.

We desperately need running water. Where is our representation? Why are we on our own? We are not asking for handouts. All we are asking for is life.

This is the 21st century, yet we are living as if we are still in the 18th century.

Perfect 'Roll Call' from St Catherine High

Cemon Delisser

I must use this opportunity to congratulate St Catherine High School's Performing Arts group for the successful staging of its 2013 fund-raising musical, 'Roll Call'.

This production was done to commemorate the school's 65th anniversary, and two shows were held on the weekend of February 2-3 at the school's auditorium.

This was a fun-filled and very entertaining production which saw the talented students of the Performing Arts group singing, dancing and acting their way into the hearts of a most appreciative audience. The performances also included different skits, some of which had the audience in stitches. It is a must-see for future showings.

The production took the audience through different stages of the school's development throughout the years and was filled with comedy and spirited performances by the group. It was a well-thought-out and properly executed production which surely deserves all the support possible. It also highlighted the many and varied talents of the young men and women involved.

Kudos to the director, Dr Mundel, and his team for what has to be described as a very commendable and creative way of highlighting St Catherine High as a noble secondary school.

I do hope that this production will be given the support it truly deserves, as the quality was of a very high standard and provided wholesome family entertainment. It was also an excellent idea as a fund-raiser. The audience got value for their money.

Big up, 'Roll Call' for a high-school musical extraordinaire! Continue to grow from strength to strength.

Treacherous journey from Lawrence Tavern

Clover Wint

Each morning I take a taxi from Rose Hall, which is in Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew, I have to ask the Lord to guide me safely across Mount Ogle Road.

Since Hurricane Sandy struck Jamaica in October 2012, the road has been steadily breaking away. Each time it rains, a little more of the road vanishes down a massive depth.

At present, there is only a half of the original roadway remaining. The situation has got so bad that in the interest of life and property, someone has placed a load of stone in the middle of the road, leaving a little track for pedestrians to walk. This track is so small we have to walk in line or walk on the stones, which in itself is dangerous because of the fact that someone can slide on those rocks and cause serious injury to himself/herself and others.

Apart from where the road is breaking away, there is also a section that is sinking and may completely go at any time. Hundreds of people walk on this death trap, as I often refer to it, on a daily basis, unaware of the danger it presents, or they simply accept there is nothing they can do to change the situation.

I see children and adults sitting on the rocks, as well as curious onlookers standing at the edge of the breakaway. There are even persons selling there who are seemingly unaware of the danger lurking nearby. The danger to life is so imminent and so soul-wrenching that I shiver each time I have to walk there.

This death trap is also costing us, the citizens, money; and in this present economic state, it is oftentimes difficult to afford the additional spending.

Another distress to us, as commuters, is the fact that when the buses get to the point where the stone blocks the breakaway, passengers are forced to disembark the bus, then walk across the breakaway to take another vehicle, which results in passengers paying an extra taxi fare to reach their destination.

This is unsatisfactory and unacceptable, thus we are seeking your help in bringing our plea to the attention of the relevant authorities. We pray that our cries will not fall on deaf ears.

Tell us about the positives and negatives affecting your community, school or any other social space. Email submissions to letters@gleanerjm.com.