MANCHESTER, Jamaica— Residents of several northeastern communities in Manchester blocked sections of the Dump to Craighead main road on Wednesday morning due to deplorable road conditions and water shortages.

The placard-bearing residents expressed dissatisfaction with the level of representation from elected officials.

“Too how the road is now, motorists don’t even know where to drive. They are confused. It is dangerous because most of the road doesn’t have edges. We really need some assistance,” Dane Johnson, a taxi operator told Observer Online.

“This road is a major road connecting you to other parishes like Trelawny. This road is the detour for the collapsed Troy Bridge,” he added.

Johnson said while residents are also in need of water, the road is in need of urgent repairs.

“We have been living without [piped] water for years. Before me even born! And we still cope without it, but we need the road,” he said.

Another resident, Odane Robinson, said the lack of potable water is costly for residents.

“We have to drive from Christiana to Patmore (water source) in Trelawny every day for water. Look at the dams that we have. So weh we a vote for? Election time dem run come patch out the road. Then after the election –  no road,” he said.

Councillor Omar Miller (Jamaica Labour Party, Craighead division) said over $200 million has already been allocated for repairs on sections of the road from Dump to Craighead.

“I do understand that they would want the road to be fixed. Works had commenced in November and for the first time, the contract had two parts. They had one person to do the base work and the other person was supposed to come in and do the overlay. The base work was done and I was told by the National Work Agency officer (for the area) that the second phase should commence anytime soon because the procurement process was done,” he said.

“Two phases have already been completed [as] $200 million has already been spent and persons are enjoying that benefit right now. The third phase, which is this one, had a lapse. I am appealing to the authorities to fast-track the contract for the work to [continue],” Miller added.

Regarding the water issues, Miller mentioned plans to restore a dormant water system.

“We have, from the 1970s, the Moravia Water Catchment System – it was one that served this area. I am told that there is also a programme in place to expand on it to have this facility pump the water and then gravity feed it to the community,” he said.

“It is a massive project and I am hoping that this dispensation from the Government will attract and be a part of it,” added Miller.

— Kasey Williams