MANDEVILLE, Manchester – Mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell says legal advice is being sought to gain access to a private property believed to be the epicentre of drainage issues on Ward Avenue here, following flooding in recent days.

“We have realised what is the problem here [Ward Avenue] and apart from the fact that silt has developed along the area causing the blockage, there is an area that we need to have access to which we are impeded, because of some issues,” Mitchell told the Jamaica Observer during an interview at a flooded section of Ward Avenue on Thursday.

“We have asked our attorneys to seek the permission to get the requisite [access] to go into the property and to have the blockage removed, so that the water can run off the roadway,” added Mitchell as he indicated that there have been continuous disagreements between the municipal corporation and the property owner.

In the meantime, Manchester Central Member of Parliament Rhoda Moy Crawford also claimed that the property owner is affecting the drainage system.

“After collaborative efforts with Minister [Everald] Warmington, $60 million was allocated to develop a drainage system to resolve the long-standing flooding issues on Ward Avenue. This system was operational from December 21, 2021, and has since effectively managed numerous heavy rainfalls without incident,” Crawford said in a statement on Thursday.

“However, on November 14, 2023, unexpected flooding occurred in the area. Despite the swift subsidence of the water, the event caused disruptions to businesses and minor damage to personal properties. Following this, I conducted a site visit and engaged with the NWA’s [National Works Agency] Manchester parish leadership. Preliminary reports indicate a potential blockage in the drainage system, possibly due to a resident’s actions,” added Crawford.

On Thursday, heavy and persistent rains resulted in flooding on Ward Avenue among other roads in Mandeville.

Crawford pointed to the NWA’s checks on drainage on Ward Avenue as reported by the Observer on Thursday.

“The NWA team, alongside the fire department, conducted an assessment and identified siltation in the drain, likely caused by blockages. However, constraints under the Main Road Traffic Act prevent the NWA from fully investigating this on private property, a limitation not shared by the municipal corporation, which operates under the Parochial Act,” said Crawford.

“I have raised this issue with Minister Everald Warmington, Minister Desmond McKenzie, and the mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell to ensure a prompt and effective resolution. We are committed to investigating and rectifying the situation as quickly as possible,” she added.