OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Several councillors in St Ann on Thursday blasted the National Works Agency (NWA) for what they describe as its failure to perform effectively.

They complained that their issues remain unaddressed, and the agency’s failure to routinely send a representative to their monthly meetings is indicative of the disdain with which they are being treated as they try to do their jobs as elected officials.

“I want the chairman to deal with NWA at the executive level and get an understanding as to their commitment to Ocho Rios and the wider St Ann because we are not getting the support from NWA,” stated Councillor Michael Belnavis (Jamaica Labour Party, Ocho Rios Division).

He said he has been receiving complaints about the deplorable state of Government roads, which are the responsibility of the NWA.

“There are so many drains, bad roads, and areas that require serious bushing and if they are not done by other agencies, they are totally ignored. We had some businessmen in Ocho Rios and their places got flooded out and we couldn’t get any report from NWA and they were all NWA’s stretches of roadway,” he said, noting that there is obviously a disconnect in communication between NWA and the St Ann Municipal Corporation (SAMC).

Councillor Genevor Gordon-Bailey (JLP, Lime Hall Division) is of the view that the NWA does not respect the local authorities.

“We were elected to pay special attention in our divisions and what I see now is NWA flatly disrespecting us. There is no answer coming from the NWA, and I don’t believe that the Government of Jamaica would have instructed NWA to not speak to councillors as it relates to anything major within their division,” she said.

“What used to be is that when we see something in our division we would highlight it to them and they sometimes would take it to the member of parliament; but that is not it anymore. They [NWA] are not coming to any of our meetings so they are not participating in anything that’s happening, also showing a lack of interest,” said Gordon-Bailey.

“So I’m asking if this municipal corporation could write to NWA because we are really tired of the disrespect that is handed down to councillors,” she added.

Other local representatives nodded their heads in agreement as their peers voiced concerns about the NWA’s performance.

“It is an embarrassment the way the NWA treats the elective representatives. We don’t hear of complaints about any other [agency]. Nobody is complaining about the health department, the police or anybody else. So why are we treated this way by the NWA?” questioned Councillor Ian Bell (People’s National Party, Becheer Town Division).

“I’m gonna ask the council to write, to the highest level, a letter of dissatisfaction as to the treatment level to the SAMC by the NWA,” he added.

Mayor Sydney Stewart documented councillors’ concerns and assured them that a letter will be sent to the NWA.