WATCH: Westmoreland taxi drivers stage protest, demand full road rehabilitation
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica— In a show of frustration, taxi drivers in Westmoreland staged a protest on Monday, blocking the Savanna-La-Mar to Grange Hill road and demanding a complete overhaul of the road instead of the usual patchwork repairs.
These disgruntled cabbies used fallen trees and old appliances to barricade the road, making their message loud and clear.
One taxi operator, who identified himself as ‘Schoolaz’, told OBSERVER ONLINE that he is tired of the “faithful promises”.
“After all these years, we are hearing all these promises, faithful promises we always hear. ‘We’re going to fix the road’, but all we get is patches. It just coming like a [drop] in the bucket,” he argued.
He and other cabbies are adamant that they need the road to be fixed immediately.
“Wi need the road fix now and Mr George Wright and Mr (Morland) Wilson all now wi nuh see none a unuh,” he said.
He and other cabbies say they have been out as early as 4:30 am and will continue to protest until they see changes.
“Wi out from morning and we don’t hear nothing all now and we still going to go tomorrow morning and again until we hear something. The road is in a terrible condition,” shared Schoolaz, who has been a taxi operator for 17 years.
Funds have been allocated to carry out repairs on the Toll Gate to Grange Hill, and Grange Hill to Glasgow roads in Western Westmoreland.
Member of Parliament for the area, Morland Wilson, made the disclosure as he opened the 2022/23 State of the Constituency Debate in the House of Representatives on September 13 of last year.
President of the Petersfield Taxi Association, Patrick Forrester, who was present at the protest, told OBSERVER ONLINE that the cabbies have been patient for far too long.
“They have been crying out for many many years now and they have been very patient. The condition of the road is deplorable and as a result of that, they have been facing expenses and more expenses. The road needs to be fixed now,” Forrester stressed.
Despite the efforts of the police and fire brigade to clear the road, the blockade resurfaces once they depart, highlighting the urgency of the cabbies’ plea.
