NORWICH HEIGHTS, Portland – Though he chided residents of this community for the shoddy job they had done in attempting to fix roads that went unrepaired for years, Cabinet member Everald Warmington has promised immediate help.

During a tour of Portland Eastern on Wednesday, Warmington gave a commitment to engage the Housing Agency of Jamaica in a joint project to repair roads within the housing development. The promise came after Warmington, who is minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, experienced first-hand the shoddy roads residents have had to contend with for decades.

Residents’ most recent effort to patch the roads included using marl to fill gaping holes. This results in plumes of dust everywhere when the road is used.

“I shouldn’t do anything when citizens mash up [roads] themselves and ask us [to fix it]. I don’t like when citizens destroy something and then ask [for help]. What I came through here I don’t know how people survive; I don’t know how you survive under these conditions. I wouldn’t like to see inside the houses from the dust,” said Warmington.

“Maybe from a humanitarian point of view, I will see what can be done. I can assure the people of East Portland that the Government cares, the Government listens, we react and all of these projects will be addressed including this one. I will try my best to see what can be done even though it is not a part of the NWA [National Works Agency] network,” added Warmington who has portfolio responsibility for the NWA.

“I will work along with HAJ to try to see how best we can assist and relieve the people of the suffering in the area. All of these [issues] will be addressed. This one [Norwich Heights] is a disgrace and I don’t know how people live inside of this,” said Warmington.

As a short-term measure, he announced that an emergency allocation would be provided to immediately address the issue.

“The condition of that road is one of the worst I have seen. Based on the deplorable condition of the road, I asked the NWA team to scope a $15-million emergency project for it right now, to try and make the surface a little better to use,” a release from his ministry quoted Warmington as saying.

A delighted Member of Parliament for Portland Eastern Ann-Marie Vaz was effusive in her thanks.

“I was determined that the people of Norwich Heights should get some relief. I am happy that the minister came and agreed with me. The road is really a disgrace and it has been going on for decades. I want to thank the minister for finally coming and giving the Norwich Heights people what they desire, the road, so that they can get on with their lives. I thank you minister on behalf of the people of Norwich Heights,” she said.

Warmington also promised that $50 million would be provided to repair sections of eastern Portland roads that have collapsed.

“There are a breakaways at Comfort Castle, Ginger House, Cornwall Barracks and Tom’s Hope; all of these I’ll ensure they will be addressed in this fiscal year,” said Warmington.