Letter of the Day | Deplorable road conditions putting people’s lives at risk

THE EDITOR, Madam:

My experiences lead me to think that the Jamaican Government, National Work Agency (NWA), parish councils and the National Water Commission are indifferent towards the people. It’s obvious, taxpayers’ money is not being used to fix, maintain or upgrade the roads. It seems a blind eye is turned towards situations that is causing motor vehicle damages and accidents.

The road from Kingston to Montego Bay and beyond is filled with potholes, uncovered manholes and missing signs. I even wrote and delivered a letter to the Office of the Prime Minister, drawing the prime minister’s attention to the Ferry to Spanish Town leg of the road – from the vicinity of the Fesco gas station going towards the old capital – and until now no action has been taken.

I even called the NWA and the parish council to lodge numerous reports, but these efforts seem to have fallen on deaf ears. As a concerned citizen, I would like to know where is all the money that is accumulated from the traffic tickets being spent? It is very expensive to purchase spare parts for motor vehicles these days, and there is not one law implemented to hold any of the these agencies and leaders responsible for not serving the citizens.

Often, one would see the police or Island Traffic Authority conducting spot checks and issuing tickets.

Look at downtown Kingston on lower Orange Street, there are two open gutters, which is dangerous, and an accident waiting to happen on this busy street. Further, if there are any emergencies these open gutters will hamper the movement of emergency service vehicles.

The Government should seriously look into what the National Works Agency and the parish councils are doing, to ensure that the roads are in proper condition. Also, when the National Water Commission dig up the roads for repairs, the roads are left with gaping holes and debris when they finish their work. Someone needs to take responsibility for this.

Jamaican people must not be taken for granted; we are hard-working taxpayers who have a right to know where and how our tax dollars are being spent. The agencies responsible to maintain public infrastructure, particularly the roads, must be held accountable for their actions, and all the roads that are in need of repairs and upgrading must be fixed at the earliest.

CONCERNED CITIZEN