Gov’t explores relocation of residents after boy killed by boulder
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Local Government and Community Development Minister Desmond McKenzie is exploring the possible relocation of residents from lands at Broadgate in St Mary, where 12-year-old Raheem Davey was killed by a large boulder, which fell from the hillside above his home.
He made the disclosure while speaking with journalists during a visit to the area yesterday.
Raheem’s eight-year-old twin sisters were also injured in the incident, which occurred on November 11, with one of the girls in critical condition in hospital.
McKenzie said the perennial threat of land slippages whenever it rains, coupled with the slope of the hillside, poses a serious danger for residents.
He said he will be holding discussions with the St Mary Municipal Corporation to ascertain whether it has lands available to accommodate the 30 residents, including children. He said he will also look into the availability of State-owned lands.
McKenzie said technical teams from the ministry and partner agencies have been conducting soil assessments since the tragic incident.
The entities include the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the National Works Agency (NWA), and Mining and Geology Division.
“They have completed their analysis… (and) are awaiting one final aspect of the report to make a submission (to the Ministry). We will then have to determine where we go from there,” McKenzie added.
ODPEM’s Director General, Major Clive Davis, who was part of the team that visited the area, agreed that consequent on the high volume of rainfall and the sheer slope and rock formation, “the area… is very susceptible to landslides and slippages”.
He advised that before the end of the week, the Mines and Geology Division will be flying a drone into the hills to capture imagery of the topography “to get a better look at what is happening up there”.
“We may have to make serious recommendations about the continued accommodation and presence of persons on this piece of land (as) it does not look very safe at this time,” he said.
McKenzie assured that the Ministry will be working closely with its partner agencies “to ensure that we offer the best possible solutions to the families”.
