Jamaica continues to be plagued by bad roads. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
ST MARY, Jamaica – People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for St Mary South East Christopher Brown, is calling for immediate intervention to address the deteriorating condition of Long Road in the parish.
“The time has come for the current member of parliament and the relevant authorities to act decisively and address the dire state of Long Road and its surrounding communities. For years, the people in this area have been enduring these appalling conditions, and enough is enough,” Brown stated.
He emphasised that although the National Works Agency (NWA) provided temporary access after last week’s incident where road erosion further affected the thoroughfare, the “piecemeal, reactive approach” has failed to resolve the deeper issue of inadequate road infrastructure.
Brown highlighted that residents have long endured the poor state of the roads.
“The community had high hopes that the Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) programne would bring about substantial road repairs,” Brown added.
“But as other roads in the region are prioritised under REACH and SPARK, the people of Long Road continue to wait in vain. It is deeply frustrating and disheartening for the residents, who feel increasingly neglected.”
The situation has worsened following heavy rains, leaving Long Road and other nearby roads in a deplorable state. Brown says residents now face the real risk of being cut off from the rest of the constituency.
“This is no longer just an inconvenience; it’s a full-blown crisis that demands immediate action,” Brown stressed.
“The people of St Mary South East deserve better. With the election approaching, we are seeing a rush to resurface and patch roads across the constituency. So, why have the people of Long Road been excluded?,” Brown questioned.
Brown is calling on the current MP and the relevant authorities to prioritise the repair of Long Road without further delay, ensuring that residents are no longer left stranded or ignored.