MINISTER of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie is to visit the inner-city community of Rema in St Andrew Southern today to have a first-hand look at the sewage problem that has been causing great distress for the residents for nearly two decades.

The situation was highlighted by the Jamaica Observer yesterday, with residents complaining that the sight and smell of sewage had become a daily feature of life in the community. The residents also complained that they had not had piped water for approximately seven years, and had been forced to fetch water from a spring that is next to a garbage heap.

“Based on the report, it is really bad, and I am actually going there with a team tomorrow (today) to have a look at the situation and to see how best I can assist them,” McKenzie told the Observer yesterday.

He also said that funds have been released to start immediate drain-cleaning in the area.

Last Thursday, when the Observer visited the community, residents pointed out that the sewer pipes had badly deteriorated and needed fixing.

They also reported that the drains get clogged easily and sewage flows over and settles in their backyards and that they have to pay to clean the area. In addition they say the sewage also backs up into people’s toilets and flows over causing great discomfort, especially for residents on the ground floor of high-rise buildings.

“A long time wi a face dis, but dem seh dem ago fix it and all now. It look like a politics… a politics mek wi a suffer,” declared one resident then.

— Tanesha Mundle