Anthony Wallace | Roll back rural rot

I must express my disgust, disappointment and displeasure about the ways that our governments, past and present, have treated the rural communities across Jamaica.

Recently, I attended a funeral for the late Mrs L.M. Wilson, CD, JP, a stalwart in education, community builder and a spiritual giant, in the district of Pindars Valley, Coxswain, in north-central Clarendon. It is a disgrace to see the state of the roads leading to that community.

The roads from Danks, via Mullet Hall, Craig Head, Crawle River, Arthur's Seat to Crofts Hill, and the roads leading to Coxswain are just tracks and gullies. For the vehicles to reach Coxswain, the best roads for persons coming from May Pen are through Sutton, via Coxswain, and parked at the Pindars Valley School. The road leading from the primary school to the Pindars Valley Baptist Church is just a little track.

I wonder if the MP, Pearnel Charles, and Horace Dalley, in the north, have concerns about their constituencies. People in rural Jamaica are forgotten. Who speaks for them? Sad to say, communities like Ward Hill, Coxswain, and Pindars Valley are still without potable water in the second decade of the 21st century.

DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS

I remember, as a child, the road from Danks, via Crawle River to Crofts Hill, was in good shape. Buses used to traverse those communities. How shameful it is to see that the children attending the Pindars Valley School still have to travel miles, even to cross the river to reach school. How can we expect our children and teachers to perform under such deplorable conditions?

I think the time has come for the Government to put in place development programmes and roads regarding construction in rural Jamaica. It is no wonder that the parish of Clarendon is experiencing high levels of crime, as persons left these rural areas heading for the cities without a job or a place to live.

Many of these communities in and around May Pen consist of persons from the northern belt of the parish who saw no meaning and reason for staying, so they migrated to the bright lights. Things cannot continue as they are in rural Jamaica. Urgent attention is needed. The time has come for the political directorate to put back some life, hope and self-esteem to these people who are small farmers. Many of these communities are not depending on politicians for handouts. All they are expecting are proper roads, water supply, and electricity and market their produce.

I think the Government should put in place another department in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development that will give attention to rural development. We as a people are too reactive on the matter of progress. We have resigned our minds for such communities to stay as they are.

- The Rev Anthony Wallace is president of the Clarendon Chapter of the Lay Magistrates' Association. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and fourpath1920@yahoo.com.