ACTIVITIES at the Christian Pen Health Centre in Portmore, St Catherine were temporarily suspended yesterday as angry residents picketed the gate to the institution and staged a protest along the Christian Pen main road to voice their concern over a sewage problem that they claim has for years been making their lives a living hell.

The irate residents used debris and other items to block sections of the major thoroughfare that connects Portmore to Kingston, demanding that the problem be addressed.

“Right now we need some answers and we will not ease up until this problem is addressed once and for all,” said Sonya Thompson, one of the residents who took to the street.

Another, who identified himself as Lawson Williams, shared similar sentiments.

“Is more than 20 years me live in the area and every time the sewage main block up our community is flooded and we fear that if something is not done to address this problem once and for all it could lead to serious health problems,” he said.

The actions of the citizens also drew the attention of the police.

“We heard about the protest and we are here to ensure that the roadblocks are cleared and that the protest is done in a peaceful manner,” a police officer told the Jamaica Observer.

Yesterday, minutes after the protest started representatives of the National Water Commission (NWC) visited the area.

According to NWC, a malfunctioning pump which had caused the sewage overflow was fixed and the waste water removed from the streets.

Residents say they will be closely monitoring the area to ensure that the problem does not recur.