MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Manchester Central Member of Parliament Rhoda Moy Crawford says the new drainage design for a flood-prone section of Newleigh Road is expected to address the long-standing issue there.

“The National Works Agency (NWA) has done their own drain cleaning on their routine drain cleaning programme. I have consistently allocated funds from my own allocations and we realise that every time the rain falls, it doesn’t matter how many times you clean the drain at Newleigh Road, the problem isn’t fixed,” she explained.

“It requires more than just drain cleaning…There is a technical team from the NWA that is redesigning the drainage system in that area. Once that design is completed, it has to go to procurement,” added Crawford.

She told journalists during a tour of de-bushing works on the Winston Jones Highway last Thursday that she will be lobbying for funding for further drainage works in her constituency.

“I am going to be lobbying the minister for the funds to see to the construction of the redesigned drain, it is very important, because if the drains are not working properly then if we fix the roads then it affects the quality of the roads,” she said.

On Wednesday, sections of Mandeville were inundated with flood waters following heavy and persistent rains.

Crawford said drains along deCarteret Road are to be cleaned by next week

“The drains on deCarteret Road were in need of cleaning, but it is a part of this special programme that is being undertaken for the major de-bushing and drain cleaning,” she said.

She pointed out that other roads in Manchester Central will also be addressed.

“Works will commence for major de-bushing and drain cleaning along Williamsfield to Caledonia Road and Royal Flat along New Hall to Richmond,” she said.

Crawford, a first-term Member of Parliament, is calling on constituents to hold the four councillors in Manchester Central to account. The councillors are affiliated with the Opposition People’s National Party.

“I want the constituents of Manchester Central to continue to hold all the elected representatives accountable. Not just the Member of Parliament. We have four councillors who were elected to office in February and they also need to be held accountable. All of us have a duty and have been given separate resources to get the work done,” she said.

“You also have a duty to hold the State agencies accountable,” she added.

When asked about plans to build sidewalks on deCarteret Road, Crawford promised to have a project to resolve students’ safety be done during her tenure as MP.

“I have spoken to parents whose children attend Belair and deCarteret College. I spoke with the NWA and they have a plan in place to do the sidewalks. I don’t know if they have gotten the allocation,” she said.

“It is very important and that is one of the projects that I want to see done within my first term, if I don’t get it done now, towards the last part of my first term, I am confident that it will be done in the first part of my second term. I know that all well-thinking persons of Manchester Central will return me to office when the elections are called,” she added.