From a distance, all appears to be well with the Laughlands Post Office, St. Ann. However, the facility is in need of much repair.

What's not working?

A reasonable amount of repairs and maintenance is needed at the Laughlands Post Office in St. Ann. Most obvious on the list is the facility's leaky roof which, needless to say, is in a deplorable state.

Up next would be a little dabbing of some paint here and there. Last but by no means least, is potable water. Yes, a resident from the area said that there is no potable water available in the facility for the staff to use.

Synopsis of situation:

At a passing glance, all would appear to be well at the Laughlands Post Office. Especially, if one is speeding by on the Llandovery main road, which is usually the case. However, closer inspections, and not so close ones in the case of the facility's roof, will show otherwise. Residents in the area say the post office has been in need of a better roof for over four years.

"Mi deh ya almost five years and the roof waan change, it not good. When rain falls, whoever in there working affi wipe up water from inside there to how the roof let in water pon dem," said Tiger, a resident and craft vendor in the area. "The next time we get a big rain the front portion of it must collapse because it stay bad already."

Junior Mitchell, another resident, echoed Tiger's point. He also raised the point that the postmistresses working in the post office have been operating without potable water for some time. "The pipe that bring water to the post office came from across the main road, but it pop off some years ago and all now it nuh fix back. Is a resident bring water to them in there so they can use the bathroom in there," he said as he detailed the deplorable conditions.

An on-duty postmistress at the post office confirmed the claims made by the residents. She concurred that the facility's roof leaks and that they have to 'take steps to secure the mail' whenever it rains. Additionally, she confirmed that they have been working in the office without the convenience of potable water for quite some time.

Who's responsible?

The Central Sorting Office (CSO).

What's the status?

Gordon Brown, public relations officer at CSO, said the agency has put in the request to the relevant ministry for funding to facilitate the needed repairs at the Laughlands Post Office. However, he was unable to say when approval for the request would be granted.

Conclusion:

A member of staff at the Laughlands Post Office said they had to 'take steps to secure the mails' in the post office whenever it rains. This shot explains why. - photos by Marlon VanRupy

It is not only a disgrace but a travesty, a sham and a mockery to have people working in conditions that are not even suited for animals.

The responsible ministry must move with dispatch to correct the poor conditions that have prevailed for far too long.

It is not good enough to hear that a request has been put in for the Laughlands Post Office. That explanation just will not cut it. We need to be provided with a specific timeline for the execution of the repairs. Needless to say, the absence of potable water must be treated as a matter of utmost urgency. Immediate steps must also be taken to mitigate against the possibility of people's parcels and letters being damaged or destroyed when it rains.

- Marlon Vickerman

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Tell us about problems in your community. We will visit and help to lobby for action. Write to: Tyrone Reid, the Gleaner Company Ltd., 7 North Street, Kingston; Fax: 922-6223, Telephone: 922-3400 Ext. 6364 or Email: tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com.

The roof at the Laughlands Post Office in St. Ann is falling apart, literally. This is a shot of a section of the dilapidated roof.