PNP calls for action after fatal St Thomas bridge incident

The Opposition People’s National Party is calling for the Government to address the condition of a bridge in Easington, St Thomas, following the death of a man who fell through the structure today.

Opposition Spokesperson on Roads, Richard Azan, has described the incident as a profound failure of duty on the part of the Government.

Azan called for a full parliamentary disclosure of all infrastructure spending since Hurricane Melissa last October and an immediate temporary crossing for Easington.

“No more excuses. No more waiting. Repair the bridge or build a safe passage. Honour the dead by protecting the living.”

Azan charged that the incident lays bare the deadly human cost of delayed repairs to Jamaica’s crumbling infrastructure.

“The man, whose identity has not yet been released, died this morning while attempting to cross the bridge, which has remained dangerously compromised since Hurricane Melissa struck six months ago. Local residents in western St Thomas have repeatedly called for action, but their pleas have gone unanswered,” he said in a statement today.

“A Jamaican is dead because we allowed a known hazard to remain open. I am angry and deeply saddened. The Government must stop issuing promises and start issuing work orders. Every day of delay puts another life at risk,” Azan added.

He said the tragedy has renewed urgent concerns over the Government’s Accelerated Bridge Programme, claiming that it has failed to deliver critical repairs in St Thomas.

“Without safe alternatives, residents have been forced to cross the damaged structure—a gamble that today turned fatal.”

Earlier today, Minister with responsibility for Works, Robert Nesta Morgan, expressed deep sadness over the death.

“This is a heartbreaking development. My deepest condolences go to the family of the deceased and to the entire Easington community as they grieve this painful loss,” he said in a statement.

Morgan also noted that the bridge had been closed by the National Works Agency (NWA) for repairs and, according to him, that this information was communicated to residents on several occasions.

“The National Works Agency closed the bridge for repairs in the interest of public safety, and that closure was communicated more than once. We understand the inconvenience that closures can cause, especially in rural communities, but these decisions are taken only where there is a real concern about risk to life and safety,” he said.

He urged the public to observe all safety warnings and barriers placed around damaged or unsafe infrastructure.

“I want to appeal to all Jamaicans, with respect and urgency, to please avoid crossing bridges that have been closed for repairs. These restrictions are not put in place to create hardship, but to protect lives. We ask every citizen to treat these warnings seriously, as no destination is more important than getting there safely,” he said.

The Minister said the bridge is among those to be addressed under the Accelerated Bridge Programme, which will target 47 bridges nationwide.

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