The facility, which is located on Watson Taylor Drive, near the sea, was damaged during the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3.

Responding to queries from the Jamaica Observer, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport Carol Palmer said a contractor has been identified, and up to last Friday the premises had been inspected and an assessment completed. The next step, Palmer said, is for costing of items on the bill of quantities to be submitted for approval.

For now, employees do their best to cope. The office building lost most of its roof during the hurricane and tarpaulin has been used to cover the gaping hole. However, that is not enough to keep the area from being soaked whenever it rains. The garage where employees park their vehicles also lost its roof.

When the Observer visited the depot last Friday, there were few people with vehicles for inspection but vendor Mico Davis was still there hoping to find a few customers. He was dismayed at the conditions under which depot staff are working, and is hoping the building will be fixed soon.

“I came here to sell natural juice and coco bread and I realised that the roof blew off. The staff them still push through the uncomfortable situation,” said Davis.

He expressed admiration for the staff.

“I went in there and looked. Water on the floor, roof gone and dem still in there ah work. Mi nuh know how dem do it,” stated Davis.