KINGSTON, Jamaica—Opposition Leader Mark Golding has called on the Government to address the damage to Sandy Gully following a tour on Monday of the channel, specifically at the West Bay Farm Road and Seaview Gardens end.

Golding, in a release on Tuesday, pointed out that there was significant damage done to the gully’s floor and protective walls, which poses a serious threat to the lives and properties of the residents on both sides of Sandy Gully.

“The current state of the gully is a result of years of neglect. This neglect further endangers the lives and properties in the communities of Washington Gardens, Seaview Gardens, and Waterhouse. Urgent action is required to address these issues,” the People’s National Party (PNP) President said.

Golding said that while the recent cleaning of a section of the gully may have improved water flow under the Spanish Town Road bridge, the scale of the problem is evident from the overgrowth of trees obstructing water flow in the Seaview Gardens section of the gully. He further stressed that this blockage threatens the safety of residents in the surrounding community.

The National Works Agency last Tuesday carried out emergency clean-up activities in Sandy Gully ahead of the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

READ: Sandy Gully flood threat reduced ahead of Hurricane Beryl

“This condition in the gully has existed long before the passage of Hurricane Beryl. Major repairs and further cleaning can no longer be delayed,” Golding argued.

The Opposition Leader said that he also visited areas in New Haven, St Andrew, which are prone to constant flooding.

He commended the actions taken by community members, along with Member of Parliament Anthony Hylton, in clearing sections of the Duhaney River to alleviate flooding in that area.