RESIDENTS of Norwich Heights in Port Antonio are appealing to the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) to improve the road and water infrastructure so the scheme can be handed over to the parish council for further development.

Nilka Herron, speaking on behalf of the residents, told the Jamaica Observer North East that the scheme which was constructed under Operation Pride and since handed over to the HAJ, does not have adequate water supply.

Herron explained that the residents all contributed to the construction of the tank to supply the scheme with water, but they are unable to get a drop of the precious commodity in their homes.

“This tank here is a white elephant,” she said, adding, “The pipes were done but we are not getting the water, as they say a problem is at Norwich Primary where the water should be coming from. So we have had to resort to storing water when it rains or purchase it for $3,500 for 10,000 gallons of water.”

Herron also explained that the roads in the scheme have not been named because the community has not been handed over to the parish council.

“We have names for the roads, but they cannot be named as the scheme is not handed over, so when persons come to the scheme they cannot find where to go and they get lost,” she said, adding, “It is difficult to find persons if you don’t know where to go.”

Another resident, Doran Roper, said she has had to construct a drain for $3,500 to lead water away from her house because of the poor state of the road.

“The road is so bad that vehicles refuse to come down here, especially when I purchase a cylinder of gas. The roads need to be fixed and we get the necessary attention,” she said, adding that the community floods whenever it rains.