Residents block Savanna-la-Mar to Negril main road in protest of lack of water
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – Residents of Retreat in Westmoreland on Saturday morning staged a roadblock in protest over the lack of water for the past three weeks.
The protest has cut off traffic flow between the parish capital, Savanna-la-Mar and the resort town of Negril.
Among some of the communities impacted by little or no supply are Retreat, Sheffield, West End, Red Ground and sections of Negril.
The residents used old appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, chairs and mattresses to block the roadway. Trees and other debris were also used.
A resident of Ketto, who did not wish to be identified, said motorists have to be using the Sheffield Cross Roads through Spring Gardens area as an alternative route. The resident, who is also impacted by the lack of water, said she is feeling the pain that drivers utilising the alternative route are feeling due to horrible road conditions.
Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson, said the water issue has to do with challenges with a pump at the Logwood Treatment Plant in Hanover which was taken out of service for repair.
Wilson said the National Water Commission (NWC) assured him that supply was restored to full capacity Friday evening. However, despite some communities confirming the restoration of the domestic supply, areas further along the distribution network such as Retreat will take a longer time to get the potable supply as the lines will take some time to be charged.
“This means that from last evening sections of Negril would have seen their water being restored. [This includes] West End, Red Ground and its adjoining communities. Four persons who are in the Retreat area, they are at the end of the line so the line takes a few hours to charge based on what the NWC reports and I would just want to reassure the persons within that area that they will get their water restored shortly,” assured Wilson, who is asking residents to exercise a little more patience.
The MP said some residents who are in a WhatsApp group were informed of the development.
