Mayor of Kingston blasts realtors

Several real estate developers have come under fire from the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, KSAC.



Mayor of Kingston Desmond Mckenzie said many residential and commercial developers continue to breach the country’s building regulations.



He said the damage that the country experienced as a result of Tropical Storm Gustav could have been avoided if many developers as well as builders adhered to the building code.



According to Mayor McKenzie about 70 percent of major developments in the Corporate Area take place without the KSAC’s approval.



Mayor Mckenzie also said about 98 percent of the buildings which were damaged by Gustav in the Eastern sections of Kingston are built in areas susceptible to natural catastrophes.



The KSAC will not accept or consider any building applications in vulnerable areas, he added.



The Mayor says a committee will be set up to assess those areas that are affected by landslides and flooding in the Corporate Area.



The Mayor will also be seeking a meeting with builders, engineers and architects regarding unauthorized developments.



Mayor Mackenzie said he will also be advocating for the government to implement compulsory evacuation of disaster prone areas.



He said the government should not have to pay for what he described as the stupidity of people who continue to build their houses in vulnerable areas.



According to Mayor McKenzie over 35,000 houses in the Corporate Area are built on river and gully banks as well as in riverbeds.