WESTMORELAND, Jamaica— The results of polls conducted on the impact of the ongoing water crisis in Negril and surrounding communities in Westmoreland are expected to be revealed Monday morning.

The results of two polls conducted between April 24 and May 1st will be revealed by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Negril Chapter and the Negril Chamber of Commerce during a press conference to be held in Negril.

JHTA Area Chapter Chair, Karen Lanigan shared an insight into why the poll was taken.

“JHTA has put together two polls which were taken for the tourism workers of Negril and the accommodation sector. Questions were being asked about the water crisis and the JHTA felt they wanted to gauge the opinions of the community in Negril and the surrounding areas,” stated Lanigan.

President of the Negril Chamber of Commerce, Elaine Allen Bradley told the Observer Online that apart from the water crisis, the lack of infrastructure to support more hotel rooms slated to come on stream is also an issue.

Allen Bradley said a letter was written to Prime Minister Andrew Holness following his tour of several shoreline properties damaged by a cold front in February.

“We wanted to talk to the Prime Minister when he was down. He did not have a lot of time, so we sent a letter two months ago, maybe longer, to say when can we meet with him to discuss some of the issues that are plaguing Negril and we want to help with solutions etc. because we live here,” stated Allen Bradley, who will be unavoidably absent from the meeting but spoke with the Observer Online ahead of the 10:30 am assembly.

“We heard that the letter has been received by his office but we have heard nothing else since,” added Allen Bradley, who made it clear that the chamber is not taking Holness to task but, “to let them aware… Maybe they are aware but they don’t know the extent to which the people are suffering.”

-Anthony Lewis