Councillors Mark McGann and Anthony Murray, representing the Somerton and Rose Hall Divisions respectively at the St. James Municipal Corporation, have declared that going forward serious attention will be given to resolving the infrastructural challenges being faced by citizens in the divisions.
Both Councillors were addressing a community meeting at the Bethephil Baptist Church in Chatham, St. James on Sunday June 30, where residents were given an opportunity to speak freely on challenges which they have been experiencing. Councillors McGann and Murray affirmed their commitment to addressing the challenges which include poor road conditions, inadequate water supply and insufficient street lights.
“There is work currently being undertaken as we continue to strengthen our partnerships with the relevant agencies to find practical, real-time solutions”, declared Councillor McGann, adding that “although the area suffers badly from drought and inadequate water supply due to outstanding pipe repairs, I continue to work closely with NWC to have certified trucks supply residents with water.”
Councillor for the Somerton Division, Mark McGann (left) and Councillor for the Rose Hall Division, Anthony Murray (right) listens keenly to concerns being aired by residents of the Rose Hall and Somerton Divisions who attended a community meeting at the Bethtephil Baptist Church in Chatham St. James on Sunday June 30. Representatives of the St. James Health Department and the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited also pay attention.
Councillor McGann further informed that “a major step to upgrade the water supply systems in the area has already been taken with plans being put in place for the installation of new pumps and we have already installed a number of tanks. The trucking of water is only a temporary alternative to ensure residents have water for sanitary convenience while we work on permanent solutions.”
Meanwhile Councillor Murray reiterated that the challenges with water in his division are being addressed in a similar manner pointed out that the trucking water remains the main alternative.
He further reassured residents that road repairs and replacement of street lights in his division continue to be a priority as “4.5 million dollars have been allocated for repairing roads in Retirement and surrounding areas and an additional 4 million for Chatham. We also continue to liaise with Jamaica Public Service Company who continues to fix and replace a number of street lights in phases”.
The NSWMA and St. James Health Department, Social development Commission, Environmental Solutions Limited, the Jamaica Public Service Company, the Adelphi Police and the Jamaica Red Cross all played their part at the forum by addressing the residents pertaining to their respective portfolio.
These include proper garbage collection, health related concerns, disaster preparedness, security awareness, the fixing of street lights across the divisions, the impact of the development of the Closed Harbour Beach in Montego Bay, and the support for social interventions in the communities.
The St. James Municipal Corporation’s Community Empowerment Forum is geared towards facilitating communication between the citizens of the parish and their Local Authority) and other agencies whose activities impact the lives of the public.