Heavy duty equipment on site in Hamilton Gardens in Gregory Park, St. Catherine. Roadwork is being done in the community that for years had terrible roads. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER.
LIVING IN Hamilton Gardens is like heaven again.
Three months ago, livid residents from the Gregory Park-based, St. Catherine community, likened living in their area to living in hell.
For years, the fuming residents had to contend with bad roads and poor drainage. Potholes of every shape and size could be found in the community.
However, an article published on March 14, 2006 in Tyrone's Watch, which appears every Tuesday, highlighted the sad state of affairs in the community.
EXCITED ABOUT REPAIRS
Today, residents are overjoyed. So rapturous was the sight of the roads being fixed, one resident said she had to spread the word as if it were the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"I got so excited that I had to stop and pass the word to a couple of my neighbours," said the resident, who alerted The Gleaner to the situation earlier this year.
She added: "Again I want to thank you so much on behalf of the citizens in this scheme. We shall forever be grateful."
The roadwork is being undertaken by Alcar Construction and Haulage Company Limited.
FUNDING THE REPAIRS
Junior Leslie, general manager, told The Gleaner that the Portmore Municipal Council and the National Works Agency (NWA) are both responsible for funding the repairs.
He said that the NWA roads cost about $2 million while the parish council roads cost $800,000.
Mr. Leslie said the roadwork, which started in May, would be completed this week.
However, Glendon Watson, project manager at Alcar Construction and Haulage Company Limited, said that the current contract did not include work on the drainage system.
Still, this move by the Portmore Municipal Council and the NWA deserves two thumbs up. Well done!
