Errol Green, town clerk, says the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, will not be granting any building permits in Caribbean Terrace in eastern St Andrew. Some 17 houses were ravaged by high seas during the 2004 hurricane, leaving beleaguered homeowners grappling to pull through. In 2006, government awarded those who had lost property some $25.5 million. But the area was again under siege with the passage of Hurricane Dean in August 2007, as residents who disobeyed an evacuation order barely escaped with their lives.

The Sunday Gleaner team was greeted by one resident when we visited the community about two weeks ago. Eighty-one-year-old George 'Uncle George' Taylor, reported: "We are not comfortable," he laments, "We keep hearing about Old Harbour and other places, but we hear nothing about Caribbean Terrace, but our trust is in God."

Relocation plan

According to Uncle George, he was one of the first to live in the area, and while he has a relocation plan, this would only be used as a last resort. "I invested all I had in this place; I will not leave just like that," he said adamantly.

Be that as it may, "further construction in the area would not be in the interest of the people", said Green, when quizzed about plans for the neighbourhood. "We cannot stop individuals from occupying these houses, but we will not be granting any more permits for any building construction in the Caribbean Terrace area."

In the meantime, communications director at the Ministry of Transport and Works, Reginald Allen, has declared a sense of satisfaction for the work done on the problematic Palisadoes strip.

"The work that has been pursued to correct major deficiencies at two critical points which are normally affected during a storm surge has been corrected; we have been able to fill the breach in both areas." He said.

Considered the gateway to Jamaica, this stretch of roadway, which leads to the Norman Manley International Airport and the historic town of Port Royal, becomes inundated during adverse weather. Experts have warned over the years that the gradual erosion of the roadway and rising sea levels will cause the thoroughfare to be impassable.

In 2006,the Portia Simpson Miller-led government awarded a multimillion-dollar contract to a Cuban firm to do a technical study of the strip. Cabinet also signed a memorandum of understanding in 2007, designating the Palisadoes project a priority. The renovation exercise includes revetment work, which involves the placing and packing of huge stones to absorb the energy of the incoming water, thus preserving the sidewalks and offering protection. Some US$500,000 (J$35 million) has since been spent to effect the repairs. All the funds required to complete the remedial work have also been secured.

Keeping up with modern technology

The communications boss further disclosed that a Canadian consultancy firm had been engaged to review the Cuban study, with a view to staying abreast of modern technology. Pressed for a timeline for completion of the project, Allen said this could not be given due to the intermittent intervention of the weather.

"The emphasis of Minister (Mike) Henry at this time is to ensure that whatsoever is done, is done right," Allen stated. "We will not be polishing any project. We will ensure that all the necessary steps are taken to have all work done properly."