PORTLAND, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for Eastern Portland, Dr Lynvale Bloomfield, has welcomed the signing of the contract between the National Water Commission and Vinci Construction Grand’s Projects (VCGP), to start the drainage project in the constituency.

However, he has contended that the liaison officer that is expected to coordinate the activities has no reference to the elected representative or local civic organisations.“Although we welcome the signing and commencement of works to improve the overall drainage system in the township, we hasten to point out that the administration has unilaterally identified a liaison officer to coordinate the activities with the contractor without any reference to the elected representative or local civic organisations. This is now the source of unease in the area and must be settled before the commencement of works,” Bloomfield stated.He added that further, the proposed liaison officer is an extract from another constituency and has no relation with East Portland citizenry.“This is viewed as being manifestly autocratic and grossly disrespectful. The people of East Portland say a clear and resounding no to this approach and call on the prime minister to exercise leadership in this matter,” Bloomfield explained, adding that the people of East Portland are restive and expect a speedy engagement in this matter.The drainage project, which is in its second phase, covers the design and construction of new sewage conveyance, treatment and disposal of the Port Antonio’s waste water and sewage.This phase of the contract is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) at a cost of US$7.73 million.