KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition Senator Janice Allen says she is saddened by the death of 12-year-old Jenell Walters who was washed away by floodwaters in Montego-Bay, St James on Tuesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Senator Allen, who is from Montego Bay, said “my heart breaks for the family who is grieving the death of young Jenell and is horrified as the search continues for Mrs Beryl Walters, who was also washed away”.

READ: UPDATE: Search continues for grandma washed away in MoBay

Senator Allen said the fact that Montego Bay experienced such severe flooding in such a short time highlights the issue of poor drainage and improper infrastructure development in the second city.

“There were similar events in 2017 and 2019 and it is incomprehensible that the issue has not been addressed,” she said.

Allen continued that if Jamaica is serious about the development and growth of Montego Bay, then the issue of infrastructure ought to be given more careful consideration. She said with all the projects planned in and around the city, drainage must become a significant priority.

Senator Allen called on the government and state agencies, including the National Works Agency and Urban Development Corporation, to provide answers to the people of Montego Bay on the future of the physical infrastructure, which she says is already bursting at the seam, as they need reassurance that the requisite expansion has been planned.