Relief convoys caught off guard by reimposed toll fees

The reinstatement of toll fees at the Mammee Bay toll plaza on Monday caused a major build-up of traffic as scores of relief vehicles heading to Western Jamaica were held up while toll operators tried to determine their status.

Trucks from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), along with other vehicles — including a convoy from the Portmore Municipal Corporation which was transporting relief supplies to Hanover — were forced to wait in line for over half an hour.

Mayor Leon Thomas, who led the Portmore convoy, eventually paid the toll fees out of pocket to get his team moving again, while representatives from ODPEM were seen negotiating with toll operators for clearance.

The delay sparked frustration among motorists and relief workers alike, many of whom questioned the timing of reinstatement of toll fees following the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa.

One motorist, who asked not to be identified, told The Gleaner that the decision was poorly timed.

“I think it is ill-advised on the part of the authorities to resume payment so soon after the disaster, they should have known that relief supplies would be going through to reach the suffering people in Western Jamaica,” the motorist said.

There were calls to continue suspension of the toll to ensure smooth and uninterrupted movement of relief supplies to the hardest-hit parishes.

- Ruddy Mathison

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