FOR the umpteenth time residents of the historic seaside town of Port Royal have firmly stated that they intend to ignore any evacuation order that might be issued as a major weather system bears down on Jamaica.

On Wednesday, Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie issued a plea to Port Royal residents to comply with evacuation instructions, warning them that failure to do so could put them at risk if Tropical Storm Melissa makes landfall.

But on Thursday, when the Jamaica Observer visited the community, residents declared that they would not be leaving their houses, and alleged that some people had been raped when they sought shelter at the National Arena during Hurricane Ivan back in 2004.

“The places where they are putting the Port Royalists during the storm right now are not conducive. They don’t really care about the people. It’s just mouth talk with no action behind it, and then families are at risk. We experienced it couple years [ago], not that we are looking back and using that as an agenda not to make preparations,” said Michael Henry, president of the Port Royal FisherFolk Friendly Society.

Henry, who said he has been living in Port Royal for more than five decades, was of the view that the recent appeals for Port Royal residents to comply with evacuation warnings were not being done out of genuine concern for their safety.

“I don’t plan to leave Port Royal. I don’t trust Government. You can’t move persons from one place to the other and you don’t protect them. They don’t care,” charged Henry.

He cited an experience in which his brother was stranded at the National Stadium, having responded to an evacuation order.

“Buses came [and] took persons [from Port Royal], you had persons who said they were not leaving based on personal reasons and they take them to the stadium and when all was done no bus, nothing, come back for them.

“My brother actually had to walk come back to Port Royal. Not just my brother alone, couple people well. You can’t take people from them home and say you are protecting them. You’re using taxpayers’ money to do what they want to do and when it comes to the safety of the people they don’t do anything, it’s just mouth talk and we know that over the years. We know they don’t care,” Henry argued.

Another resident, Fabian Simpson, said he would also not be leaving Port Royal in the event of Tropical Storm Melissa making landfall, based on experiences during Hurricane Ivan.

“Do you have any idea how much record [we have] of people who were harmed and raped at the stadium after Ivan? Couple girls weh go out there was part of it. We fi move go back up there so fi wah? If them never move go up there… it wouldn’t happen,” Simpson said.

The fisherman added that he didn’t see the need to evacuate because Port Royal has managed to withstand past weather events.

“Me don’t see the sense in moving because, for one, we never have no flood. As far as the eye can see them drains here never fail we yet. Anytime we have a lot of water on the road, just give it a few minutes and it would seem as if it never happen. Outside of that we good, we quite fine,” Simpson added.

The two fishermen said they are keeping track of the movement of the storm and will take the necessary measures to secure their boats.

“Me just a wait until like tomorrow [Friday]; some man already take up them boat and all of that. I just listen the forecast and see what measures to take. I think Port Royal, the history, show you the only thing that trouble Port Royal is when the surge come and high tide and the water run off,” Henry said.

In the meantime, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingston East and Port Royal Phillip Paulwell told the Observer that he has not yet spoken to the local government minister to find out what arrangements have been put in place for the residents of Port Royal who wish to leave the community.

“My role as MP is to encourage them and to insist that the Government puts in place the appropriate shelters for them… My understanding is that the people continue to be very concerned about the arrangements that are normally made for them at the arena and feel that is too far a location for them and in fact would prefer somewhere nearer and better accommodations in terms of what supplies are made available,” said Paulwell.

He pointed out that some residents of Port Royal are sceptical of going to shelters because they are not equipped with proper security and other provisions.

“I’m trying to ensure that these shelters that are provided are going to be adequate and I haven’t gotten that assurance, but I’m waiting on that,” added Paulwell.

Alfred Williams, a 66-year-old fisherman from Port Royal, is seen with a 27-pound kingfish he caught on Thursday even as residents of the historic seaside town kept an eye on the looming Tropical Storm Melissa.

President of the Port Royal Fisherfolk Friendly Society Michael Henry explaining to the Jamaica Observer why residents of the seaide town are refusing to evacuate.Photos: Garfield Robinson

Fisherman Fabian Simpson has bad memories of the last time residents of Port Royal sought shelter from a storm.