Dear Editor,
I purchased a house in Willowdene a few years ago because it was the only place where I could find an affordable house that could accommodate my family.
To say that the roads are “bad” would be something of an understatement and a poor description of the magnitude of the problem. The condition is deplorable; there are no potholes to be patched because about 95% of the road surfaces have no asphalt covering. In reality, there are no roads in the community; erosion has left the roads devoid of asphalt.
It is difficult to traverse what is supposed to be roadways, whether by foot or by vehicle, as what we have for roads are only dirt tracks with massive sinkholes and large ponds whenever it rains. It is my understanding that the scheme was built in the 1970s, and as the infrastructure deteriorated, the citizens have had no success in lobbying the local authorities to fix the roads.
I personally went to the Parish Council and was told that the roads were never handed over to the Council; hence, it is not their responsibility. I have also heard members of the citizens’ association say that they reached out to the sitting MP, and he has made it clear that he will not get the roads fixed.
I am out of ideas as to what to do, seeing that all responsible entities have declined to do what, in my view, is their duty of office.
We are required to pay property taxes like everyone else. What are our monies being used to do? Additionally, those of us who drive are required to pay gas and road taxes. Aren’t we citizens of Jamaica, and, like everyone else, are we not entitled to the provision of this very basic infrastructure? Of note, also, is that there are no working fire hydrants in the community, but that is for another story.
Mr. Prime Minister, we are in the throes of another local government election. Your local authorities have failed to act on our behalf. Sir, we, the citizens, are asking you to act as we are in desperate need of roads.
I am,
Ann-Marie Forbes
