KSAC takes strong stance on Jacks Hill

Erica Virtue, Senior Gleaner Writer

THE OFFICE of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other environmental agencies will now be required to sign off on construction plans for any development in the affluent Jacks Hill community, failing which, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) will not give its seal of approval.

Kingston Mayor, Senator Desmond McKenzie, served notice at yesterday's sitting of the Upper House that he would agitate for Parliament to fast-track legislation detailing mandatory "no-build zones".

"The country is being held to hostage because one, people want to build homes on hillsides, they want to have a view of the (Kingston) Harbour. But in the process of doing so, they are creating dangers for persons living on the flats. Already, the KSAC has taken some strong decisions. We are not granting building approvals in places like Jacks Hill and other such areas unless ODPEM and all the other agencies are in agreement that it is safe to do so," said a passionate mayor.

McKenzie blamed some of the destruction of the country's environment on coffee farmers, who were cutting down trees from the hillsides in the name of development, as well as others, who were burning coal at the expense of the wider society.

"And if there isn't a time that this country needs to put into law, and to make sure that this no-build zone situation becomes effective, then perhaps, after the next couple of hurricane seasons, this Parliament might not be here. Because we are not too far from the sea, and if people feel that it is only the people living on the plains of the Corporate Area and in rural areas that are going to be affected, they are making a sad mistake," he said.

With unanimous support from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, McKenzie said the national housing policy has not specifically addressed no-build zones, although it speaks to the legal framework for housing, and the elimination of squatter or informal settlements.

"I want to use this opportunity to urge people who are purchasing homes, or lands, to seek the advice of their parish council, ODPEM or NEPA, because there is a significant body of information which already exists, and is available on areas prone to natural disasters," McKenzie said.

Continuing, he said: "I support the call by ODPEM for mandatory disclosure of disaster zones to discourage human development in those areas. And we need stringent laws to prohibit human development close to watersheds and riverbeds, as well as illegal dumping in our gullies and in our drains."

McKenzie also used the opportunity to rap Prime Minister Bruce Golding for placing the environment portfolio with Housing and Water.

"Mr President, let me state categorically that I did not agree with the decision, to add the environment portfolio to the housing and water ministry. My concern is that the ministers of housing have awesome powers, which they have used to get developments approved under the Housing Act, without consultation, in isolation from bodies like the local authorities and against all good advice," he said, adding that that power of the minister needed to be removed.

On Tuesday, at the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, the committee heard that environment ministers since 2005 have overturned at least 41 applications for constructions that were rejected by NEPA.

The ODPEM has designated as many as 450 communities as flood prone to some extent, rating some high, medium and low risk.