Westmoreland – There were two very different protests in this western parish yesterday, as residents of Haddo and Gordon District called attention to a lack of water and proper roads in their respective communities.

The primary school in Haddo was forced to close its doors early after irate demonstrators used boulders to block sections of the road, bringing vehicular traffic to a standstill. According to the protestors, they were trying to get the attention of the National Water Commission because they have been without water for the last six months.

“Six months now we don’t get any water and when the truck come last week, (those) who can’t afford what the driver dem a charge never get none,” one student complained.

“We can’t go a school ’cause we can’t shower,” said another.

Some residents told the Observer that they have been forced to get water from catchment tanks and ponds.

The protest was eventually broken up by a strong contingent of police officers from Westmoreland, headed by deputy superintendents Lascelles Taylor and Lawrence Dermott. They managed to restore calm and a tractor was used to clear the roads.

When contacted by the Observer, the NWC’s public relations manager for the western region, Lisa Golding, said there is water in Haddo and blamed the protest on residents from surrounding communities for which the utility company does not have responsibility.

“From my understanding, it is areas like Lime Hall, Lyndhurst Hill, Welcome and Bird Mountain who are demonstrating and none of these areas are served by NWC,” Golding said.

Efforts to reach Central Westmoreland’s member of parliament, Dr Karl Blythe, for a comment proved futile. The general consensus among the demonstrators though is, since his departure from the Ministry of Water and Housing, projects which he began have ground to a halt.

“Drainage, central sewage, roads and water projects have come to a halt… this is a direct indictment on Dr Blythe,” one angry woman said.

And while over in Gordon District in Whitehouse the protest was peaceful, residents were no less vehement in their cries for the authorities to complete road repairs.

According to them, work began four years ago, when the land was subdivided and sold to them through Operation Pride. It was never completed and has since degenerated into a dangerous route that is little more than a dust nuisance – especially now, in the drier months of the year.

Laundry placed on clothes lines to dry become covered in layers of dust, they said, adding that 90 per cent of the community are plagued by sinus problems caused by the dust.

In addition, they said, some sections of the roads are impassable to vehicular traffic and they have been forced to resort to using donkeys to transport water and use makeshift stretchers for the sick.

“Enough is enough, we are fed up,” said Kenroy Salmon, a taxi operator who plies the Whitehouse to Gordon District route.

After two-and-a-half hours of peaceful protest, the residents dispersed.